None as cute as you, though.” “You better not.” It was absolutely wild—flirting like this in Mary Ellen’s. Mary Ellen herself kept looking over the counter and smiling at them, then pretending she hadn’t been looking when Sam caught her eye. Friedman hadn’t magically transformed into a liberal mecca overnight, but for the first time in a long time,

“I know this is just your way of showing your insecurity about long distance. But don’t worry, I’m not like Arjun. I know you’re worth a little effort.” Denver had nothing clever to say to that. He let his smile speak for him, and the two of them ate for a moment in the kind of comfortable silence that could only come with two truly compatible

For example, not only were he and Denver out on a breakfast date at Mary Ellen’s, once they were finished there, they were headed straight for Waffle House for an immediate comparison—not so that Denver could decide which was better, but so that Denver could see how truly excellent both restaurants were.

IF IT WAS WEIRD TO TAKE A DATE OUT FOR BREAKFAST instead of dinner, the biscuits and gravy at Mary Ellen’s were good enough that Sam was willing to accept any weirdness that came with them.

And if the memories of what was and the dreams of what was supposed to be ever kept her awake, well—hopefully she would be powerful enough to erase those, too.

She had enough power, surely. Enough to escape, to disappear—enough to erase every trace of her involvement with True Light, and to start over somewhere new where she could enjoy what she’d won in peace. Put it to good use as . . . something. She could figure out her next steps from wherever that was.

That was the night Delia had confirmed her own long-standing suspicion—that these True Light members were all absolutely insane, and she couldn’t respect herself if she stayed with them, no matter how powerful they were.

“That’s why . . .” His words trailed off, giving way to the gentle hum of the machinery around him. Finally, James leaned in. “That’s why what?” “Honestly, James, I’ve already forgotten.”

“I appreciate you, James,” Sam said earnestly.