Page 99 of Beyond Redemption

“Who do I ask for her hand, anyway? Shane? Trenton? You?”

“Unanimous approval from all three,” Thomas deadpanned, focusing extra hard on the eggs cooking in the pan.

Bodhi’s mouth turned up into a half-smile, amused. “Is that all?”

“Don’t push it,” Thomas warned.

Bodhi settled in, relaxed as his gaze drifted to the stairs. “I watch you and Liis, and seeing your brothers with their wives and kids… I want that. Ya know?”

“You should—” Thomas began before I interrupted him.

“How was therapy?” I asked.

He looked at me, then at Thomas, then back again, something lighter than I expected in his expression.

“Which one?” he asked.

Thomas let out a short breath that almost qualified as a laugh.

“Both,” I said.

“Physical is okay, I guess,” Bodhi said. “They’re pushing range of motion. It’s not fun.”

“It usually isn’t,” I said.

“It’s working, though,” he added. “They said I’m ahead of where they thought I’d be. Dr. McLeod is… intense. I think she wants me to be more torn up about what happened than I am.”

“It’s common to miss how deeply it affects you,” I said, ensuring there was no condescension in my tone.

He sighed, deflated. “She said the same thing.”

“Take it from me, kiddo. It’s best not to argue with Liis. If she wasn’t an agent, she’d be a ruthless district attorney,” Thomas said.

I sat next to Stella, wiping her hands and face with a damp cloth. “You’re not wrong. I took the LSAT,” I said. “My score could’ve gotten me in anywhere.”

Thomas turned to me. “Wait—what? How did I not know that?”

I shrugged. “The FBI seemed more fun.”

Bodhi shrugged slightly, then winced as the motion pulled at his shoulder. “I would’ve pegged you for a litigator.”

“It would’ve been an acceptable alternative,” I said. “But then this munchkin wouldn’t be here,” I said, lightening my tone for Stella as I gently squeezed her chubby arm.

“Mama, wowfuls!” she said, pointing to her empty plate.

“Yes!” I said, pressing a kiss to her now-clean cheek.

“Found it!” Olive said, skipping down the stairs.

“Awesome,” Bodhi said, standing at the ready.

Stella let out a loud, insistent sound from her chair, reminding all of us that she had been patient long enough.

“Want me to…?” Olive began.

“Nope, I have her. You two have fun. See you tonight,” I said.

“Not too much fun,” Thomas added.