Page 133 of Beautiful Exile

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you dare. Everyone expresses their love differently. Doesn’t make it more or less; it just makes it unique to them.”

My gaze swept over Nora’s face, the lines there looking a little deeper. “You always know how each of us needs to be loved, supported, and cared for. You’re the greatest gift for each and every one of us.”

Nora’s eyes glistened. “You make me cry, and we’re going to have words.”

“Well, apparently, I cry all the freaking time now, so you’ll be in good company.”

Nora’s head tipped back, and she laughed full-out. Pulling me into a hug, she held on. “Love you, Arden. Exactly as you are. But also love that Linc’s inspiring you to share a little more of yourself with all of us. Becauseyou, my girl, are a gift, too.”

I held on to Nora. “He’s making me brave. Making me realize that this messy life is worth fighting for.”

She pulled back but grasped my face in her hands. “It is. And you and your siblings show me that every single day.”

“Thank you for giving me a safe place to land. For loving me just as I am.”

“Arden,” Nora croaked.

“I know it’s late, but do you think—?” I paused, trying not to stumble over the words. “Could I call you Mom? I think my other mom…she’d love to share the name with the person who carried me through the dark.”

Tears slid down Nora’s cheeks. “I’d be honored to share any name with the woman who gave everything to save this most precious girl.”

She threw her arms around me and held tight. “Love you more than the stars in the sky.”

“I love you, too.” We stayed like that for a long moment before letting go. When we finally did, I felt eyes on me. Not ones that made me twitchy but ones that gave me constant reassurance at the knowledge he was with me. And I was stronger for it.

Linc gave me bravery, boldness. A willingness to step into fear and find what lay beyond.

As I pushed to my feet, he crossed to me, Brutus at his side. It only took a handful of seconds for his arm to come around me and his lips to graze my temple. “Good?” he asked in that rough tenor.

“Better than good. Beautiful,” I whispered.

Nora rose, her eyes still watery. “You’ve been good for my girl, and I’ll love you forever for that. But if you fuck up, I’ll be coming for you,” she said, pointing her shears in his direction.

My eyes bugged out. “Mom, did you just say the F-word?”

She burst out laughing. “Sometimes, it’s the only one that will do the trick.”

“I’m with you there,” Linc said, amusement coating his words.

“What’s all the ruckus down there?” Lolli called from the back deck. “You’re interrupting my Zen diamond zone.”

I could only imagine what she was creating now. But I grinned up at her. “Mom said the F-word.”

Lolli’s jaw dropped. “Nora Leanne Colson, did you get into my stash?”

We all burst out laughing at that.

49

ARDEN

I wrappedthe towel tighter around myself as I surveyed my closet and scowled. The number of dresses I had was limited, to say the least. And I’d worn all of them at least twice. Mostly to little fundraisers at The Collective, and a few to the occasional family event that required them. None of them felt right for this.

For the first time since the night that had changed everything, I didn’t want to fade into the background. I wanted to stand out. And nothing in this closet gave me that, save for the over-the-top unicorn onesie I had tucked away for Christmas Eve when my entire family wore them.

But, somehow, I didn’t think that was the play for tonight.

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