Page 220 of Come Back to Me

“It does?” Zee plucks at the comforter. “What are you buying?”

“Crystals.”

“Crystals,” she repeats before letting loose a whistle. “Wow. He’s really a goner, isn’t he?”

I bite my lip. “It’s mutual.”

She studies me. “He’s as cool as Butch?”

“Better,” I confess, twisting and plunking myself beside her on the bed.

(I wish he wasn’t. I wouldn’t be putty for him if he weren’t so cool. And sweet. And wonderful.)

“Are you dating?”

“Nuh-uh.”

Annoyed, she folds her arms across her chest. “Are you keeping more secrets from me?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” She squints at me. “Don’t change the subject though.”

“I’m not. But it’s a roundabout way of asking you something.”

“When isn’t it with you?”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Take it however you want, it’s the truth,” she retorts with a huff.

“Walker.”

“What about my brother?”

“Did you know I had a massive crush on him?”

“I think the Martians knew that. You used to start humming whenever he entered a ro—” She blinks. “Oh. You’re humming a lot and making so much music right now. He’s the reason for it?”

I nod.

“I thought you were sad.”

“I was, but he’s… he makes the synapses in my brain fire.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I haven’t told anyone apart from Nonna, and she mostly guessed.”

“How come?” Her brow furrows. “My being married to Colt changes nothing between us, Tee.”

I scoff. “I know that.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“Did I ever talk to you about Walker?”

“No. Oh! I see what you mean. How have I just realized that you clam up when you’re in love?”

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