Page 90 of Unearthed Dreams

“Next Sunday, Chase will be here,” I said.

The mention of his return brought a heavy silence to the table. I felt Kai’s hand tighten around mine beneath the checkered tablecloth.

“Twelve weeks sober,” Elliot said, pride evident in his voice.

Kai traced soothing circles on my palm. I knew he still blamed himself for not stopping Chase that night, despite everyone’s assurances that he couldn’t have known.

“He’s working through a lot of guilt,” Mom said, refilling coffee cups with practiced ease. “About the accident, about his addiction. About the things he said to both of you that day at the bookstore.”

The memory of Chase’s cruel words still stung, but not as sharply as before. Understanding his demons had helped ease that particular pain.

“I’m just glad he’s doing better.”

“He’s getting there,” Dad added. “One day at a?—”

The front door flew open, bringing with it a gust of frigid December air and a flurry of snow. Elena burst in, her cheeks flushed from the cold.

“Sorry I’m late!” She shrugged off her puffy winter coat, unwound a chunky knit scarf from her neck. “Emergencyappendectomy ran long, and then my car wouldn’t start in this weather.”

“Perfect timing,” Mom said, already moving to grab another plate. “French toast is still warm.”

Elena avoided looking at Chase’s empty chair as she settled in beside Tessa. The slight tremor in her hands as she accepted a mug of coffee didn’t escape my notice.

There was definitely a story there—one that explained both Chase’s cryptic “That little...” comment months ago when he’d learned Elena knew about Tessa and Elliot’s arrangement, and Elena’s tense behavior whenever his name came up.

But that was a story for another time.

For now, I was content to lean into Kai’s solid warmth beside me, surrounded by the chaos and love of Sunday brunch with my ridiculous family.

My manuscript sat upstairs in my old bedroom, Matthew’s final edits nearly complete. The first query letters would go out next week.

And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t worried about the future. Whatever came next—whether my book sold or not, whether Chase’s recovery stuck or faltered, whether Elena’s hands would stop shaking at the mention of his name—I knew I could face it.

Because I had finally found my own story. And it was better than anything I could have written.

Epilogue

KAI

The early morningfog clung to Main Street as I locked up the bar’s newly installed glass door. Last night’s Halloween party had been our most successful event yet—the updated sound system and expanded dance floor proving worth every penny I’d invested from Kelsey’s life insurance—the money originally earmarked for Billy’s care.

My phone buzzed.

CHARLIE

Still doing “inventory”?

I grinned.

KAI

Something like that. How’s the writing going?

CHARLIE

My immortal commander just confessed his love to his dragon rider. Finally.

KAI