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“For what?” Ashley walked inside and carefully crawled onto the bed next to Esther, cautious not to jostle her legs.

Esther turned back to the window facing the bed. “For you to see the sunrise.”

Ashley gasped as the sun slowly rose over the house across the street. Muscle memory told her to run for cover. She had to fight the instinct and stay in place. Cautiously, Ashley reachedout to the sunbeam that tracked its way onto their bed. Her fingers dipped into the light, casting shadows, and her hand warmed with a gently soothing touch she’d nearly forgotten.

“It’s beautiful.” She turned back to Esther to see tears in her eyes.

“Ashley, I’m so sorry. You gave me your heart, and I…and I betrayed you in the worst way possible. You’re this sunbeam that deserves everything good in this world, and I don’t know how, but if there’s anything I can do to earn back your trust, I’ll do it.”

“Shh.” She ran her thumb along Esther’s cheek, wiping away the tears. “Sweetheart, that’s not how this works.”

She pressed her forehead to Esther’s, and a tear trace down her own cheek.

“I love you, Esther. If someone was going to be my downfall, it had to be you. It’s all right. We’ll figure this out. Together.”

“All right.” Esther nodded, and they kissed as the morning light filled the room.

EPILOGUE

Ashley

Ashley pushed away her syrup-soaked plate, resting a hand on her stomach. “I’m stuffed. Stop giving me food. I couldn’t possibly fit anything else.”

Esther chuckled from the wobbly stool next to her, the sound so soft Ashley hardly heard it over the din of chatter and scraping cutlery from fellow brunch-goers.

“Was it worth it?” Esther asked.

“God, yes.” Ashley had missed food so much.

A cloud shifted across the sky, releasing a stream of sunshine through the street-side window and spilling onto her empty plate. Her hand twitched back to the shadows under the table. No, this was all right. She didn’t have to be afraid anymore. Being human took some getting used to. A warm hand on her thigh told her Esther had noticed.

Ashley captured Esther’s hand in her own, lifting it to her lips and placing a small kiss on her knuckles. “It was all worth it.”

“Get a room.” August barely looked up from his plate, a smirk on his lips as he shoved another forkful of breakfast into his annoying face.

“Watch it, witch.” She pointed through the sunbeam at him, showing both who was boss. “I can still take you.”

His reply came through a mouthful of food. “I’d like to see you try.”

“Ashley.” Esther’s voice was soft, but the warning carried.

Right. They were here to celebrate.

She released Esther’s hand and sat up straight to clink a fork to her glass, careful not to spill what was left of her mimosa. “A toast!”

Uther was quick to raise his glass, elbowing August to follow suit.

“To Esther and Uther on somehow making it through this year with the grades to graduate.”

“Hear! Hear!” Uther chimed as they clinked glasses, weaving and reaching to make sure each drink touched. Ashley hadn’t finished her sip before Uther continued. “On to the next order of business. Esther.” He pointed his glass across the table at her. “How did your interview go?”

Ashley held her drink tight. Esther’s interview with the historical society had finished that morning, making her a couple of minutes late for brunch. Typical Esther, she’d said nothing on the subject, happy to let Ashley rattle on with her regular nonsense. Her reluctance to offer any details was nerve-racking, but Esther was a shoe-in. She had her degree, and she’d worked with the very collection they would be hiring her to continue.

“The interview?” Esther fidgeted with her fork, stabbing at a piece of arugula that refused to be pierced.

“Esther Green, do not play coy with me.” Uther had abandoned his seat to lean farther over the table. “You’ve let usstress all of brunch, and I will have no more of it.” He slapped the table, the force barely enough to rattle a fork, but enough to draw Esther’s attention.

“It was fine.” Esther took a sip from her mimosa while they all waited.