Page 86 of Zero Divergence

“Of course, you didn’t,” Royce said, holding her tighter. Then he told Candi about the conversation Marcus had with Father David about his struggles with mental health.

“How could I have missed the signs? I’m a trained professional,” Candi said.

“With three kids, a busy career, and a husband who wasn’t being honest with you about anything,” Royce said. “What’s my excuse?”

“Don’t you dare blame yourself,” she said fiercely.

“I will stop when you do,” Royce teased. “We will make a commitment here and now to forgive ourselves and Marcus.” It sounded so easy, but they both knew it wasn’t.

“Deal,” Candi said.

Royce kissed her forehead. Then he looked at the hat and phone sitting on the coffee table. Candi had assumed they were collected as evidence when the department investigated Marcus’s death, but Royce had recovered them at Amber’s apartment. He didn’t want to lie to Candi, but he was limited on what he could say about Amber since she was an undercover FBI agent.

“I want you to have the stinky hat and phone,” Candi said. Maybe she sensed his hesitation and mistook it as reluctance to part with them. There was some truth there as well. “I’m sure Marcus took thousands of photos during your fishing trips. God, the stories you two used to tell.” She giggled for a second before sobering. “Burn that damn tape. Marcus deserves to rest in peace.”

“Will do.” Royce sure as hell had no plans to listen to it again.

“Mommy! Uncle Ro!” Marc yelled from the kitchen. “Dinner!

“He’s so suave,” Candi said.

“Hurry! I’m dying!” Daniel added.

“He’s so dramatic,” Royce said.

Candi nodded. “Never a dull moment. Just you wait and see.”

Royce laughed. “I just told Sawyer the story about the glitter slime incident and Marcus’s certainty that I’d have kids of my own someday.”

Royce and Candi shared a smile over the cherished memory of a flawed man they’d loved and lost. They were healing—day by day and step by step.

“Isn’t this the part where you deny it until you’re blue in the face?” Candi asked as they retraced their steps toward the kitchen.

They stopped when they reached the end of the hallway, taking in the adorable sight in front of them. The boys had put their differences aside to gang up on Sawyer, who was tempering his strength while he showed off his WWE wrestling skills in the living room.

“No, it’s not.”

Candi laughed joyfully until Daniel broke away and shimmied up onto the couch. He let out a war cry and bent his knees in preparation to jump onto Sawyer and Marc.

“I don’t think so, young man,” Candi said. “This isn’t how we treat someone who is kind enough to invite us to their lovely home for dinner and swimming. I guess you don’t want to try out Sawyer’s pool that badly.”

“Oh, come on, Mom,” Daniel whined. He flopped onto the couch and crossed his arms over his small chest, then scrunched up his face and wailed. Royce didn’t see any tears leaking from his eyes.

“Knock it off, Tom Cruise.”

Daniel unscrewed his face and looked at Royce. “Who’s that?”

“He’s an actor like you. He does his own stunts too,” Royce replied.

“Don’t give him any ideas,” Candi said to Royce before returning her attention to her sons. “All right, boys, let’s wash our hands for dinner.”

Sawyer directed her to the guest bathroom, then crossed the room, pulling Royce into his arms when he reached him. “How’d it go?” he asked.

“Better than I imagined, but that’s been everything since you came into my life.” Royce kissed Sawyer before he could return the sentiment.

Sawyer broke the kiss and smiled at him. “My mom called a few minutes ago. She invited us to dinner on Saturday, and I accepted.”

“Great. Now we just need to avoid getting shot or set on fire between now and then.”