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Her voice was so small, tiny really. I knew admitting all of that wasn’t easy for her. Sparrow wasn’t the type to second-guess or bemoan anything.
“Do you think he loves you?” I asked.
She didn’t hesitate. “I know he does.”
“Then don’t give up on him yet,” I said, making it all sound so simple, too simple.
She sighed, shifting against the seat. “I just don’t know if he’ll ever let himself be fully known. If he’ll ever open up without me having to pry it out of him with a crowbar and dynamite.”
“Resorting to violence.” I smirked. “That’s . . . one approach.”
She bumped her shoulder into mine and chuckled, then propped her head against mine.
I thought about Egret, the way he wielded humor like a weapon, the way he deflected everything that mattered. I thought about how he looked at Sparrow when he thought no one was watching.
“He will,” I said, gentle but certain. “It just takes time. Some of us need a little longer to figure out how to let people in.”
She looked at me, her expression soft.
“You really think so?”
“I do.” I nudged her again. “And if he doesn’t, I’ll kick his ass for you.”
She laughed again, quieter this time, before wrapping her arms around me in a quick hug.
I returned it, pressing my chin against the top of her head for a second before pulling away.
“Thanks, Will. God, I missed you.”
“Me, too,” I said, meaning it with everything in me. “After this is over, we can’t lose touch again, okay?”
“Never,” she breathed into my neck.
She sat back, still smiling, when a throat cleared nearby.
We turned to find Thomas staring at us, his arms crossed, one eyebrow raised.
Sparrow bolted upright and straightening her jacket.
I just smirked.
“Something to say,Dr. Beckett?” I asked, leaning back.
His eyes flicked to Sparrow, then back to me.
“No,” he said, “but . . . why do I feel like I should?”
I grinned, shrugging. “Oh, you know me. Just comforting a friend.”
His eyes narrowed.
I winked.
Thomas sighed, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair, amused, but resigned.
“You’re a disaster,” he half laughed, half muttered.
“And yet,” I said, grinning wider, “here we are.”