Page 184 of Next to Everything We Wanted

“I doubt that’ll ever change about you.” I wrapped my arms around him. We hadn’t hugged in a while, but it reminded me of when I’d gotten out of the hospital. Only it wasn’t full of tears and snot.

There was just forgiveness.

“I love you, Hanville,” Forrest said, squeezing me tighter. “Even if taking care of you is like taking care of a screaming toddler.”

I let out an ugly snort. “I love you too, Tansel. But I think you’re the toddler.”

Sienna’s house wasn’t even ten minutes away, yet it felt longer than my drive back to April Springs. My hands shook on the steering wheel, and I was worried that I’d swerve off the road from my jitters.

I parked along the side of the road, grabbed the sketchbook, and hopped out of my car. Sienna’s Toyota Camry was the only car in the driveway. It was just me, her, and this heavy thing in my hands.

As I walked to the door, Sienna’s curtains opened. Her head poked out for a moment before she shut it just as fast. My stomach dipped with some of my hopes.

Before I lost my last nerve, I rang the doorbell.

After what felt like light years, Sienna opened the door and stepped out. She wore a fitted camisole and shorts, her long hair almost traveling to her waist. Even when she wasn’t dolled up, she was stunning enough to make me weak in the knees.

“Gavin?” she asked, her long lashes fluttering. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey, um, this ended up on my bed,” I said, holding out the sketchbook. “I might have to report you for breaking into my apartment.”

She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. Gosh, I’d gone too long without seeing that. “I’m not guilty! Your roommates can vouch for me.”

I smiled before clearing my throat. “I can’t take it.”

She shook her head as she closed the door, leaving us outside. “I said you can throw it away if you don’t want it.”

“You need to keep it.” My heart stormed in my chest, beating all over my body. “To store all your memories and make new ones.”

“I—I don’t want to make new memories in that journal. Not without you.”

“T-That’s why I’m giving it back.”

Her eyebrows lifted. She wasn’t catching on.

I sighed, sounding almost defeated. “I still want to be there to make new memories,” I whispered, stepping close enough for our faces to almost touch. “As many as you’ll let me be a part of.”

The amber in her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Really.” I handed her the sketchbook and sat on the wood bench near the door. My weak knees needed a break. “Talk to me.” I patted the space next to me. “Say anything you want to say.”

Her lips twitched before she spoke. “I’m sorry I hid my mom from you. I should’ve told you from the start, even if you would’ve broken up with me for it.”

“I’m sorry I said you were just like your mom,” I said, brushing my hand against her free one. “You’re not. You’re two different people. What you did hurt, but I would’ve done the same thing. Shoot, I hid my entire career from you.”

“I didn’tneedto know about your career. Hiding the truth about my mom was betraying you.” Her words were heavy, full of gravity. They kept me rooted in place, unable to look away from her. “I was selfish. About everything.”

“You’ve looked out for me since day one, Sienna. Selfish people don’t do that.”

She drew in a breath, one from her chest. “I talked to my mom last night, and she’s changed from who she was before. She really admires you. So do I.”

My heart stuttered. “You talked to her about me yesterday?”

“Only good things.” Her smile barely reached her eyes. “Not for long, though. I got to know her better. She’s actually an interesting person. We even hugged. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Mind that you talked about me or that you hugged your own mother?”

“Both?”