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I lift an eyebrow, my disbelief heavy at my throat. “Isn’t it though?”

Her face remains tucked into the curve of my neck even as she gives it a tiny shake. “It really isn’t. It doesn’t make sense to people who aren’t born and raised here, but Jefferson is beautiful and peaceful. The people care about each other and look after one another.” She pauses as if trying to explain herself better. “Jefferson is like living with family. You get on each other’s nerves, but when it matters, they’ll be there for you.”

I get what she’s saying. One of the reasons I agreed to take the electrician’s position, uproot and move Lauren and myself to Jefferson was because of how close knit everyone seemed. How peaceful. We may not have been embraced and pulled into the folds right away, but people were kind and helpful when we needed it. Once we started putting down roots and showing up to functions, and making friends, it definitely felt like being part of a family.

But none of that justifies all the underlying issues no one ever mentions.

“And the whole setting your house on fire situation?”

The finger outlining theFehurune inked over my chest pauses.

“Sometimes, there’s no helping people,” she whispers like she’s reciting something told to her. “They become a cancer onthe community and to save the flock, the growth has to be severed.”

“Everly,” I murmur, unable to restrain the disappointment creeping into the single utterance of her name.

Her head comes up and her big eyes meet mine. “They are given options. Plenty of opportunities to do better and stay in the community.”

“Baby,” I sweep a lock of their off her temple, “that’s a fucking cult.”

I expect protest, outrage like back in the sunroom. Instead, she pulls in a long, heavy inhale that lifts her shoulders nearly to her ears. “It’s just the way things have always been. No one has been hurt in years. Most people learn their lesson and everything is okay. But this...” she plants the palm of her hand over the symbol, over my heart, “we won’t be given a warning. Nothing we say will matter. We will be asked to leave. You will lose everything. Lachlan. Lauren. All of us. I can’t let that happen.”

The soft sizzle of butter melting in the skillet fills the silence. It cuts through the tension, drawing our attention to the topless man idly flipping strips of bacon in a pan. He alternates between keeping an eye on the meat and pouring whisked egg into the second pan.

I don’t fail to realize that this might be the last time we get this. The last time I’ll have Everly in my lap with the otherman making breakfast. The arrogant side of me, desperate to assure myself they’re wrong, isn’t blind enough to ignore the reality of our situation.

“Let’s say I accept what you’re saying and abide by Jefferson rules, what does this mean for us?”

Everly’s expression falls with the droop of her shoulders. Her hand slips off my chest into her lap and I already don’t like her response.

“There wouldn’t be an us anymore,” she murmurs so softly, I nearly don’t hear her. “There’s no realistic way to continue. Jefferson is too small to hide anything. They will notice the amount of time we spend together. They’d notice if we all disappear for a whole weekend at the same time. They’d notice if we make too frequent visits to each other’s houses. We had the cover of Lauren and Bron in the past, but that isn’t feasible anymore.”

I steal a glance in Lachlan’s direction. Curious to see his thoughts on this, even though he’s been very clear in his stance on the matter.

“And you’re okay with this?” I ask, relieved when the question stiffens the length of his spine.

His hand freezes mid fluff of the eggs solidifying in the pan. His head jerks up and pivots in my direction.

“Of course, I’m not okay with it,” he snaps. “There isn’t another way unless Everly changes her mind and decides toforgive and forget, which she shouldn’t. I’m not going to let her stay in a bad place because I need her in my life.” His fingers tighten around the fork in his grip, and he turns away to stare hard at the steam coming off the top. “I don’t know what to do.”

With a sigh, Everly sets her head back on my shoulder. Her face finds home in my neck. The quiet acceptance of our fates breaks something in me. It tears my heart, leaving a void I can’t breathe around.

I refuse to accept that this is it. That this is the last time I’ll ever be allowed with her. But I can’t process a better solution. Was there one? How can I keep her safe from an entire town? How can I ask her to risk everything for me? How can I risk Lauren?

I don’t care what happens to me. I don’t care if I lose my position as the town electrician. I don’t care about the house or my car. It’s all things I can get again somewhere else. I’m not scared of rebuilding.

But I can’t tear Everly from her life. From her parent’s home. Their memories. I can’t ask her to set fire to her entire life for me.

Or Lachlan. His parent’s home that he practically rebuilt. His dad’s construction business. His reputation. I can’t expect him to just drop everything and commit. Although, I know he would for Everly. I know he would give up everything for her. I also know he won’t because it would hurt her in the long run.

“Then date me,” I blurt.

That has Everly and Lachlan’s full attention. Both face me with matching expressions of confusion and surprise.

“What?”

I suck in a breath, committed to this choice. “If we date, no one will question why you’re at my house overnight or with me.” I touch her chin. Run my thumb along the soft curve of her bottom lip. “No one will question why Lachlan is with us. Why he spent the night. Why you’re with him.” I pause with another inhale. “You can keep us both. I’ll share you with him, but to everyone else, you’re mine.”

She kisses me.