Page 129 of Die for You

Tears fall down her cheeks as she hugs and thanks each of us in turn. When she finally gets to me, she murmurs, “I love you so much, Damien.”

I’ll never get tired of hearing those words from her mouth. For the rest of my life.

Chapter 40

Finn

Graduation day.

All of us walk the stage, families and friends in the crowd cheering for us. Quinn signs that she’s proud of me. Aurora signs that she loves me.

After the ceremony, Knox is swarmed by his family and Damien’s mother insists on taking dozens of photos of him in his cap and gown.

A knot in my chest loosens when I finally find her. Beaming at me like I’m the sun after a lifetime in darkness. She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. “How do you feel?”

My thumb presses on her bottom lip. “In love.”

Her lips curl in a wider smile. “You’re so corny.”

Aurora got into Juilliard. She’ll be leaving for the fall semester, and we’re going with her. Knox wants to get into physical therapy and Damien into coaching. Should be easy enough for them in a city like New York. I’ve already been accepted into St. John’s Doctor of Audiology program.

No matter where she goes, we’ll follow.

A six-four man with dark brown hair and fierce blue eyes parts the crowd with a tiny brunette at his side, heading for us.

“Who are they?” Aurora whispers.

“Wes. Violet.”

“Violet Novak?” she squeals. “Oh my god! I can’t believe I get to meet her in person!”

Can’t help but grin at Aurora’s excitement.

When they reach us, Wes holds his hand out to me. “Finn. Congrats.”

“Iloveyour book!” Aurora shrieks so loud, Violet jumps.

Violet flushes and gives a bashful smile. “Aww, thank you.”

“My favorite part is when they fuck in the library.” Wes winks at Violet.

She turns a deeper shade of crimson before swatting at him. “You didn’t even read it.”

“I did,” he protests, defiant.

“You skimmed it.”

“I read the important parts.”

“So the spicy parts.”

“Andthe dialogue.”

Aurora giggles and launches into a slew of questions about Violet’s book.

Behind me, someone’s elbow collides with my spine.

I hiss through my teeth and whirl?—