Across the Vanishing Sky (Starlight Grove, #1)(93)

“That’s my girl.” Dex leaned over and brushed his lips featherlight against mine.

It was the first time he’d kissed me since the incident yesterday. And this one felt more real somehow. Not a heated moment where we’d lost control but a choice.

“I have to go to work,” I whispered against his lips.

Dex’s fingers slid into my hair. “I know the boss. I can get you a day off.”

I laughed, the sound ping-ponging between us. “I’m not leaving Wylder in the lurch.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re all responsible.” Dex released me, climbing out of the car. I followed his movements, and he beeped the locks and tossed me the keys. “Wanna pick me up at the cabins on your way to get Owen?”

Dex was planning on meeting up with Kol to go over the case. He wasn’t sharing much—not yet. But they were focused, and that meant something.

“Sure, just tell me where you’ll be.”

“Probably back at the cabins by then, but I’ll let you know if I’m somewhere else.”

I nodded, starting toward the front of the building. Dex fell into step beside me. He didn’t take my hand. Instead, he placed his palm on the small of my back.

The heat of it scalded my skin through my T-shirt, which was adorned with the words The Boot. His thumb traced the spot where my back and hip met as if he’d memorized where those stretch marks were.

Phoenix wings.

The words echoed in my head like the most beautiful sort of brand.

A door slammed, jolting me out of my swirling thoughts.

“Dexter Archer,” a woman called out.

Dex’s hand was gone from my back, a grin stretching his face as he strode toward her. “Ever Devereux.”

Ever.

God, even her name was cool. And the rest of her was, too. She wore scuffed-up combat boots and dark jeans. A worn and faded tee with layered necklaces, and she had delicate tattoos on her fingers.

Dex pulled her into a hard hug, lifting her off the ground. I wanted to die a little. I hadn’t seen him greet anyone like this before. Not a single soul. Certainly not me.

He released the woman, setting her on her feet and stepping back. He turned to me and read my face in a single breath. And then the asshole laughed.

He laughed.

I glowered at him, mentally vowing vengeance. Something that locked him out of every tech device he owned. His beloved hot sauce in his coffee. Shaving cream in his Oreos.

Dex moved to my side. “Brae, this is Ever. She grew up with us in Connecticut. She and Orion were high school sweethearts.”

You could’ve knocked me over with a feather. Orion had a first love? I guessed everyone did, but I couldn’t picture it. But what I could see clear as day were those words hitting Ever.

The first blow was a jab. She grew up with us. The second was a sucker punch to the kidneys. Orion. The third blow was a knockout. High school sweethearts.

But I knew in an instant that Ever was a fighter because she pulled herself together after the death blow. She straightened, tugging her mouth into a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” And I meant it. Because I suddenly felt for her. She knew loss. And that was a club that bonded, even if none of us wanted to be a part of it.

“What are you doing here?” Dex asked.

Ever’s mouth twisted into a lopsided grin. “On my break. You know I had to check in.”

A hint of pain washed over Dex’s face, but he covered it. “Ever works for Medicine For Humanity. Where were you this time?”

“Cameroon,” Ever said, tugging on the hem of her tee. “Got to see some gorillas.”

“That’s really incredible,” I said.

Her blue-green eyes softened. “Not a bad gig.” She turned to Dex, pausing for a moment before speaking again. “How is he?”

The words were whispered, but each one was like a knife to the chest. Because they were full of longing and pain.

Dex’s fingers twitched at his side as if he wanted to reach for something or maybe put his fist through a wall. “He’s okay.”

Ever’s fingers tightened in the hem of her tee. The movements were so similar. Maybe because they were spurred on by the same pain. But she didn’t say a word, just stared at Dex.

He sighed and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “He’s communicating less. On his own more.”

Ever’s head turned, the breeze picking up her hair and making it look a little wild. “I’m gonna go talk to Wy. Good to see you, Dex. Maybe we can get coffee before I head out.”

“You got it. Where you headed to next?” he asked, trying to steer them away from the hard and into the normal.

“Haiti. I’ve never been.”

“Always an adventure for you.”

“Always.” Ever sent him a sad smile before turning to me. “Give this one hell. He deserves it. He shaved my Barbie’s head when I was eight.”

“You stole my best baseball card,” Dex shot back.

“You didn’t have a right to it. You’re a freaking Yankees fan,” Ever said, disgusted.

“The Mets,” Dex muttered. “Who picks a losing team?”

Ever pointed a finger at him. “We have heart, and that’s something you can’t buy.”