Page 124 of Best Friends for Never

That’s how I know that I love her. That she’s completely it for me.

And how I know that what I have to tell her next is going to suck so fucking much.

“I’m leaving early,” I announce after several moments of quiet.

She sighs, but it’s not a sad sound. It’s a resigned one, as if she knew this was coming.

And honestly, how could she not? Even I’ve had an inkling this would happen, especially if the news of my potential involvement is making headlines.

I was just hoping it wouldn’t be so soon.

“When?” she asks.

“I have to be back by Wednesday afternoon.”

She nods and rises from my lap, holding her hand out to me. “Then we’d better make the most of the time we have.”

I let her pull me back into the house, where we spend the morning in bed doing exactly that.

“Come on. I want to make sure we get a good spot.”

Parker runs ahead of me, her steps light and excited, like a child getting free rein at a candy shop.

I thought she’d be more upset about me leaving, but she’s keeping true to her promise of making the best of the few days we have left together.

Our Saturday began with breakfast in bed—her being the breakfast. Then we took Gran to lunch at Rossi Café, where I wolfed down an Italian subandtwo cookies before heading to the theater, where I helped her and Axel settle many debates on paint and countertop colors. It’s a good thing it’s Saturday so the crew wasn’t around to hear their bickering.

Now it’s time for the monthly movie club to meet, and apparently, wehaveto attend.

I’m wary of her excitement as she dances across the park, weaving through the people already spread out on blankets until she finds the perfect spot.

“Here,” she announces.

I unfold the blue plaid blanket that’s usually bunched in the corner of her couch, which I’ve fallen asleep on too many times to count, and spread it wide for us. We grab our popcorn, candy, and drinks from the small basket Parker brought along, then settle down with just a few minutes to spare. Parker slides between my legs, her back pressed to my front as she snuggles into me.

“It’s the perfect night for this,” she says, tipping her head back to look at the stars. “No clouds.”

I follow her gaze, admiring the night sky. Thanks to all the light pollution in the city, I don’t often get to see it like this, and I almost forgot how beautiful it can be.

“It is. A little chilly, though.”

“That’s why we brought the second blanket.” She reaches for the backup blanket she brought and drapes it over us before resuming her spot tucked against me.

“Smart woman.” I kiss the side of her head just as her mother and Clifford come ambling our way.

“Well, look at you two, all cozy and whatnot.” Astrid grins at us as Clifford shakes out their blanket, settling it next to ours. “Haven’t seen much of you lately, little miss,” she says to her daughter.

Parker looks up at me, a silent question in her eyes.Can I tell her?they ask.

I nod.

She looks back over at her mother. “Noel’s leaving early.”

“Oh.” Astrid’s grin fades, but it only lasts a moment. “Well, that’s all right. You’ll be back, won’t you?”

Parker stiffens against me.

My return isn’t something we’ve discussed.

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