Page 106 of Reclaimed

“A needle pulling thread?”

The back of her arm lands horizontal across my chest. I grab it and kiss her knuckles.

“I’ve been thinking we need to come clean to your family. I don’t like lying to them, but especially Juniper. She’s my best friend, and she deserves to know the truth.”

Remy takes interest in a stop sign. The delay provides time to face Isla head-on.

“If you want to tell them, we can tell them. It doesn’t matter anymore. This is real.”

She wraps her arms around me, kissing me softly. Featherlight fingertips play with the hair at my neck. “It’s real for me too.”

The leash pulls taut. Remy’s warning bark cuts through the tranquil air like a knife.

“Hey, boy.” I tug him back from a man passing in the opposite direction. His wire-rimmed glasses reflect the morning sun, contrasting the scowl on his face. He tucks his hands in his pockets as he stares us down.

“Control that thing,” he mutters.

“He is under control.” Our gazes collide, holding until he passes.

Isla scratches Remy beneath his chin, and he immediately relaxes. “That was strange. I haven’t seen him have that reaction before.”

I shrug, setting off on our walk again. “It’s not unusual. We haven’t seen him interact much outside of the Sanctuary. It could have been his glasses. Or the fact he’s a man.”

“He didn’t react that way with you or Jude.”

“He’s much more familiar with us. After what happened during the spring, maybe he’s hesitant around strange men.”

“Poor thing.” Isla frowns.

We round the corner onto Main Street, and nearly bump into a couple. Remy barks again, pulling slightly in my grip.

“Sorry,” I apologize. “We’re working on his socialization.”

“That’s okay.” The young woman smiles. “He’s a beautiful dog.”

Her partner gives me a chin lift, and they provide a wide berth for us to pass.

“Now that’s how you interact with your neighbors.”

Isla grins up at me. “Get rubbed a little the wrong way, did you?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Not at all,” Isla singsongs, looping her hand in the crook of my elbow. “Back to the conversation…”

“I think we should tell them tonight.”

“At dinner?”

“Why not? Get it all over with in one go.” Remy sticks his nose into a dried-out flowerpot near the bakery, halting our progress.

Isla shades her eyes and tilts her chin. “I think we’ve had this conversation before.”

I lean down and touch my mouth to hers. “There’s a good chance we’ll have another one in the future too.”

“I have to pick up my last check from XO’s first. Then I can close that door for good.”

A stray lock of hair sticks to her cheek. I retrieve it with my thumb. “Are you happy?” My heart trips over itself.

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