Page 80 of Scout

Juniper chokes on her M&M’s. “What?!”

Xavier just smiles and shakes his head.

And for the first time in a long time, the future doesn’t feel like the edge of a cliff.

It feels like a maybe.

29

Kendrix

Scout picks the place.

It’s a little diner on the edge of town that smells like syrup and fryer grease the second we step through the door. There’s a flickering neon sign in the window that says OPEN and a chalkboard out front with “Pie of the Day” scrawled in smudged handwriting. It’s exactly the kind of place I wouldn’t expect him to suggest, which somehow makes it feel more right. More… him.

He’s already inside when we walk in—sitting in a booth at the back, hands wrapped around a glass of water like it’s something to anchor him. Juniper’s next to him; she sees us first and waves us over. Scout looks up. And for a split second, I think he might bolt. But he doesn’t. He nods once, then gestures for us to come over.

Xavier slides in across from him. I take the seat next to Xavier, because that’s what feels safest. Scout doesn't say much. Just offers a quick “Hey,” like we’re not all dancing on the edge of something fragile.

“Hey,” I echo.

Scout’s in a dress shirt. Not a suit, thank God—he looks too damn good in one, and I need to stay focused. His top button is now undone. He looks tired. Proud. Fragile.

He taps the menu once and mutters, “I don’t know why I’m looking. I already know what I’m getting.”

I smile, careful not to let it spread too far. “Let me guess. Something with fries.”

“Obviously,” he says, flicking his eyes up at me for a split second. It’s the first real eye contact I’ve gotten from him all day. Then it’s gone again, like I imagined it.

Juniper smiles at me and wiggles her brows. “Scout said I could order whatever I want because I’m now legally his problem.”

He chuckles, and the sound twists something in my chest. “Ward,” he corrects. “Not problem.”

“Same thing,” she mutters.

The waitress shows up, and we all order. Coffee for me, of course. Xavier gets an omelet, Scout gets a burger and fries, and Juniper requests the mega stack of pancakes.

“So,” Scout says after the world’s longest pause, “you guys following me was a bold move.”

I laugh under my breath. “Wasn’t following. We were already there.”

“You know what I mean.”

Xavier finally speaks. “We didn’t want to intrude.”

“But you did.”

“We hoped it would be okay,” Xavier adds softly.

Scout exhales through his nose. “I didn’t hate it. You showing up.”

Which, from him, might as well be a love letter.

“So…” I start, stirring my coffee even though I haven’t added cream or sugar. “How’s everything? You know. Since…”

“Since my life turned inside out, and I inherited a preteen?” he says, smirking.

“Hey!” Juniper fakes a pout. “I’m a pretty awesome preteen.”