Across the Vanishing Sky (Starlight Grove, #1)(48)

“They put like a bazillion Oreos in this milkshake,” Owen cheered. “It’s the best!”

I groaned. “Can’t wait for bedtime tonight.”

One corner of Dex’s mouth kicked up. “Sorry about that.”

“You’re not sorry at all,” I grumbled.

Owen chattered away, asking Dex five million questions as we made the drive home from the diner. What started with the FBI inquiries turned to computers, and I couldn’t understand half of what Owen was asking.

“You know,” Dex said, pulling onto Briarwood Lane, “you have way more computer knowledge than I did at your age.”

Owen bounced up and down in the back seat. “Really? Do you think you could teach me stuff? I really want to learn how to brute force attack.”

Dex let out a laugh. “I think your mom might not love me teaching you that. But I can teach you how to build firewalls.”

My gaze slid to the man next to me, studying the way his forearms flexed as he turned the wheel. The easy smile he had for my son. How effortless it was for him to step in and be just what we needed today. “If you teach my kid to hack into the Pentagon, I will steal all your gadgets, dump them in the creek, and dye all your clothes bubblegum pink.”

“Bro,” Owen said, clearly annoyed I wouldn’t let him do something that could get him imprisoned for all of eternity.

“I’m such a buzzkill, I know. Worst mom ever,” I commiserated.

Dex barked out a laugh as he pulled up to the cabins. “See, even your kid thinks you’re the worst.”

I stuck my tongue out at him in response.

“Who’s that?” Owen asked, leaning forward.

My heart skipped a beat as I turned to the front windshield. Through it, I caught sight of two figures sitting on our front steps. I wasn’t sure what I expected to find. Another bomb dropped on my life? The cruel mystery person taunting me through Nova’s phone? The monster who’d stolen her from me? But the moment their faces came into focus, I let out a breath.

“That’s Holly and Cora,” I explained. “They’re friends from when I took you to the park. And Cora works with me.”

Owen’s mouth thinned. “They’re okay, I guess. Not as fun as Nova, I bet.”

Pain slid through me as I reached back and squeezed Owen’s knee. “They’re all amazing in their own way, but no one will ever replace our Supernova.”

“No one’s as awesome as Supernova,” Owen muttered.

“No,” I whispered. “No, they aren’t.”

I felt Dex’s eyes on me but couldn’t look at him. It would be too much. And if I broke now, it would all fall apart. Instead, I climbed out of the car. “Hey, guys.”

Holly and Cora were already on their way to me. Holly pulled me into a hug. “Are you okay? Have they traced the call? What are—?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, then tipped my head to where Owen was climbing out of the back, widening my eyes meaningfully.

Cora moved in then, squeezing my arm. “I thought you might need dinner. How do you feel about lasagna, salad, and garlic bread?” She gestured to some takeout bags on the front stoop.

The burn behind my eyes was back for a whole new reason. It wasn’t just Dex who cared. I was finding a whole community in Starlight Grove. I swallowed against the ball of emotion gathering in my throat. “Thank you.”

Holly rubbed a hand up and down my back. “It’s what friends do.”

“Mom, can I let Yeti out?” Owen called.

“Sure, have Dex help you. He has the keys.”

Dex arched a brow at me. “Your dog gonna go for the family jewels again?”

My lips twitched. “Only if you shake them in her face.”

Cora choked on a laugh. “I feel like this might have something to do with your first run-in.”

“Ask her about the boobie cookies,” Dex said as he started up the walk, Owen running ahead of him.

Holly’s mouth pursed as she watched them go. “You two seem to have gotten…close. I thought you didn’t know him.”

I tried not to bristle, but the weight of the day made it hard. “Dex lives in the cabin next door. He also had my back today and is going to help me with Nova’s case.”

“In other words,” Cora began, “don’t be a dick, Holls.”

Holly’s jaw went slack. “I-I wasn’t… I—”

I placed a hand on her shoulder. “There was a little judginess in there.”

Her lips pressed together. “I just don’t want you mixed up in anything that could get you in trouble,” she said softly.

A little of my annoyance eased. “I think I’m already in trouble. And if it means finding Nova, I’ll gladly go to jail or the fiery pits of hell.”

A wave of grief passed over Holly’s face, and her gaze shifted to Owen. She watched as he laughed and chased Yeti around the front yard. “I would’ve done anything for my boy.”

Cora squeezed Holly’s hand in a silent show of support. “We do everything we can for those we love.”

Holly sighed and straightened her shoulders. “We do.”

“Come on,” Cora said. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll warm up dinner. You can tell us what you need.”