Page 59 of Pastel Kisses

Good or bad. That’s what we’re all waiting for.

They’ve either found her alive… or they’ve found her body.

Dan’s lips part, but no sound comes. His throat works like he’s swallowing back a scream—or a sob. Then, slowly, his phone lowers from his ear with trembling fingers. A beat of silence. Then another.

Finally—finally—his eyes meet ours.

They’re brimming. Red-rimmed. Glassy with tears that haven’t fallen yet.

And then he says it.

A whisper at first, like he almost doesn’t believe it himself.

“They found her.”

Silence slams into the room like a tidal wave.

For a full breath, no one moves.

No one breathes.

And then the world explodes.

“They what?” Jaxton roars, his voice cracking with disbelief.

“Where? Is she okay?” Liam chokes, already pulling out his phone.

Dan’s smiling now. A real, wide,achingly beautifulsmile that lights up his entire face, washing away years of grief in seconds. “They found her alive. She’s alive, boys. They’re taking her to the hospital now.”

Lennox sinks to the floor, both hands gripping the back of his neck as if he’s afraid he might fall apart if he lets go. Jaxton is pacing, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles are white, eyes wet. Liam has dropped into the nearest chair, staring at the wall like it’s speaking directly to his soul.

And me?

I can’t move. I can’t think. My knees wobble, heart pounding like it might split open in my chest. All I can hear is those three words.

They found her.

Alive.

Alive.

Alive.

Dan pulls me into a hug before I even realize he’s moving, his arms crushing, desperate. I hug him back just as hard, emotion breaking loose in a sudden, gasping rush that leaves me dizzy.

This is real.

It’s finally real.

Our girl is coming home.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Avery

The steady blip of a heart monitor pulls me from the shadows of unconsciousness, each beep a soft tug tethering me back to the land of the living. For a moment, I’m not sure if this is another cruel hallucination. But then I hear it—a gentle, feminine voice coaxing me through the fog.

“That’s it. You gave us a little scare,” she says softly, as she checks something near my side. “But don’t worry. You and the baby are both healthy. We’ve already contacted your father. He should be here soon.”

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