Page 112 of Perfect Order

“Today,” Paige states calmly.

“Excuse me?”

“Today, it’s impossible to deal with. And tomorrow, it likely will as well. It doesn’t mean time won’t dull the wounds.” Just as she finishes, Beckett turns away from Lee’s grave and wraps his arms around her. “Healing happens when it’s supposed to, Leanne. It always does.”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. Paige leans forward and presses her lips against my cool cheek. “Take care. Call someone, please?”

Then she shifts, and Beckett wraps me in his arms tightly. “When you come back to the city, have Carrie get us all together.” I squint at him in confusion. He clarifies, “Carys. We’ll introduce you to our daughter. You’ll like her.”

“Umm, I’m not too good with small children,” I waffle.

“Then it’s a plus she’s only a few years younger than you.” Beckett beams proudly.

My jaw falls to the floor at this unexpected acceptance, not that I didn’t know it. I’m so astounded by it, I forget I have no plans to head back into New York because I’ll likely be lying right next to my Lee soon. “Well…sure.”

Beckett whispers, “I was devastated thinking it was you—so was Paige. Kane knew it.”

My eyes drop to the grass in shame.

“They have no idea what true love can overcome. He’s waiting for his chance to show you.” And with that, Beckett Miller leans down and presses a kiss on my forehead before he and Paige move away.

I scrunch my eyes closed for just a second. Taking a deep breath, I call out, “Beckett!”

He stops and looks over his shoulder. His clear blue eyes are clouded with the news about Lee, but unlike what Lee described to me, there’s nothing else shadowing them. The words flow out of me. “She was worried about you. She knew something was wrong in your heart.” I lay my hand on my sister’s stone, and my lips curve. “She’d be thrilled to know it’s fixed.”

Even from a distance, I see moisture brighten his eyes even further. He swallows visibly before ordering, “Call Carrie,” as he turns away.

“I’ll get right on that. Was he always this autocratic?” I murmur to the cold marble.

I don’t get an answer from Lee, but a male voice I’d recognize anywhere responds, “You’ll be able to ask her yourself soon enough.”

Right before darkness envelops me, his arm reaches over my shoulder and a cloth is smothered up against my nose and mouth.

Kane

According to the Federal Highway Administration, close to 2000 people die each year due to car accidents on icy and snowy roads. Use common sense when leaving your home to drive in adverse conditions, especially when the only reason you’re doing so is to run to the store for some last-minute groceries.

Your favorite snack can wait; your life can’t.

— Fab and Delish

“Get your ass out of there. They’ve already grabbed her,” Thorn’s now familiar voice barks in my ear.

I immediately wheel away from the cemetery. “Tell me where I’m headed.”

“To the airport.”

“Who has her?”

When he tells me the answer, I almost run off the road. Fortunately, I correct my out-of-control driving to avoid both a ditch and an oncoming vehicle. But there’s only one thing I care about. “Is she alive?”

“As long as she doesn’t give them what they want.”

“Which is?”

“Access to Dioscuri.”

Decorating is not all about function; it is about ensuring the place you spend a large portion of your time nourishes your soul. That’s difficult especially when bulk office furniture is often ordered in drab, easy-to-scrub gray.