Page 76 of Dove
She certainly didn’t deserve my sick, perverse thoughts.
When they finished their goodbyes, my father gave her a final approving nod before they left. I’d driven separately, so I stayed behind.
“Do you need me to take anything else?” I asked sarcastically, lifting the plethora of items in my arms. “I think I have a little more room.”
She rolled her eyes. “No, I think I’m okay. Thanks, Josh.”
“Congratulations, Dove.”
She fought a smile, but it won out, spreading across her face. “Not you, too. You all act like I cured cancer or something.”
“Or something,” I agreed.
Her cheeks flushed the way I loved to see, and suddenly I felt the urge to bolt—as if staying was a mistake. I should’ve gone with Josie and my father.
“Well, I should?—”
Before I could even get the words out, Dove’s arms were locked around my neck, pulling me down for a hug. I floundered for a moment, arms full, but then Reverie was there, taking what she could so I could wrap them around her properly.
I’d forgotten her friend was even here.
I couldn’t help but hold Dove close. To let my hands splay wide across her back as I held her to my chest. I was so damn proud of her. She’d struggled a bit when she’d first moved here, but after meeting Reverie and settling into a routine in her new home, she’d flourished. Dove was smart as a whip, and I knew she’d go far in whatever she decided to do.
“I’m so proud of you, Dove,” I murmured into her hair, breathing her in.
Strawberries.
They’d forever remind me of her.
“Thanks, Josh,” she replied in a small, soft voice. It made me want to tug her tight and never let her go.
When the hug went on a little too long to be proper, I squeezed her one final time and let go, stepping out of the circle of her arms. They slid from my shoulders, and she crossed them over her chest.
I took back her flowers and gown before clearing my throat and offering an awkward, “Have fun. Call if you need me for anything.”
“You got it,” Reverie chirped, looking chipper. She’d always been an odd one, but she was Dove’s best friend, which meant she was around a lot. I’d grown used to her. Mostly.
I leveled them with my best “serious” look, hoping to rival Josie’s. “Behave.”
Dove attempted to hide her smile, but Reverie didn’t even try.
“We will!” she agreed in a voice that promised anything but, then grabbed for Dove’s arm. As she tugged her away, I heard her say, “All right, we spent enough time with yours, now it’s time to find mine.”
“Rev!” Dove hissed, glancing back at me worriedly.
Shaking my head at Reverie’s antics, I turned and made my way back to my truck, depositing Dove’s stuff carefully in the front seat.
I really hoped those two didn’t get into too much trouble tonight.
The sun had set, and night had fully settled in. Fireflies floated like twinkling stars in the distance, and crickets sang their songs from the cover of tall blades of grass.
It was ten minutes to midnight, and Dove still wasn’t home.
Our parents had gone up to bed after I’d assured them I’d stay up and wait for her. My father hadn’t seemed bothered in the slightest, but Josie had paced around the kitchen, her worry manifesting in a need to clean up nonexistent crumbs as if they personally offended her by being there.
Keeping my vigil on the porch swing seemed to calm her, and she went up to bed shortly after at my father’s insistence. He nodded his thanks before following her upstairs.
Damn him. And damn my need for his approval.
