Page 94 of Sinful
"His name is Bravos."
"I know his name. I also know you spent the night with him. Possibly two nights, technically, since you never came back yesterday."
My face heats. "And?"
"And you look different. Happier." She studies me. "You're glowing. It's disgusting."
Despite myself, I laugh. "I had a good night."
"I can see that." Her expression softens. "You're really doing this? With him?"
"I think so. Yeah. We're going to try."
"Even though you're both leaving?"
"We'll figure it out. We're both going back to Texas anyway." I lean against the desk. "He's in Sharp. I'm inAustin. That's forty-five minutes. Close enough to make it work."
Elfe is quiet for a moment, thinking. "You deserve this, you know. To be happy. To have someone."
"I don't know about deserve?—"
"You do." She moves closer. "And he looks at you like—like you're the only person in the room. Like you matter more than anything else."
My throat tightens. "He makes me feel like I could stay. Not here, but—somewhere. With him."
"Then maybe you should."
"It's complicated."
"It's always complicated. That's life." Elfe reaches out, squeezes my shoulder. "But Helle? Be careful. Nomads are nomads for a reason."
"I know."
"Do you? Because I've seen you fall before. For Andrés." The name still hurts to hear. "And that almost destroyed you."
"This is different."
"Is it?"
"Yes." I meet her eyes. "Andrés was using me. Pretending. Playing a role. Bravos isn't like that. He's just—he's damaged like I am. Broken in the same ways. And maybe that's what makes it work."
Elfe nods slowly. "Okay. I believe you. Just—don't lose yourself in him. Stay you. The you that races and fights and doesn't take shit from anyone."
"I won't. I promise."
She pulls me into a hug—quick and fierce. "Good. Because I just got you back. I'm not losing you again."
"You won't."
We pull apart, and she grins. "Now come on. Mom's been asking about you, and Dad's awake and cranky, which means he's feeling better."
I follow my sister and head into Dad’s room.
It looks less like a medical ward today.
The equipment is still there—IV pole, monitors, all the machinery keeping him alive—but there are also flowers on the windowsill now.
Cards from club members. Evidence that life is returning to normal.
