Page 202 of The Exit Strategy

“No,” I say instantly. “We’ve already worked out that repayment plan. We’re all contributing to the loan now.”

Junie shakes her head. “That house has carried more trauma than memories. I want to…build something. Something that will pay off a debt that was never ours…and something that will honor a loss that was stolen.”

“Baby,” I whisper. “What are you saying?”

“I want you to build a new version of your veterans’ memorial, Cole.”

Nana Mae sniffles.

“Junie.” My throat is tight.

“Just listen,” Junie says. “You can honor your parents and their love in the place where mine never succeeded. That overrides all the negative energy there because love always wins.”

I blink rapidly just to see her through the emotion of what she’s suggesting.

“I think you can do it on a scale that will still allow us to build a small high-rise on the rest of the property. Luxurycondos, even if it’s only six to ten of them, will sell for a pretty penny in that location. We can pay off the debt, and everyone can start fresh, free. The way we always should’ve been. And if the memorial happens to sing in the direction of Mr. Fissell’s house, even better.”

Hudson groans as she turns to her brother with a small smile that wavers. “Is—is that okay with you, Nolan? It’s your childhood home too.”

His eyes glisten. “It was never a home, Junie. I think…” He lifts his glass in toast. “I think that’s the fresh start this family deserves.”

I raise my glass, but my gaze never leaves Junie. She still has no idea how much she gives this family every day.

“Do you agree, Mr. Whittaker?” Junie whispers at my side.

“Jesus, Junie.” My emotions are on a rollercoaster.

“Watch your tone, Whittaker, or Junie will divorce you before the ink is dry on the paperwork,” Hudson chuckles.

“There won’t ever be a divorce,” I snap.

“That’s what they all say,” Fen teases.

Not funny.

In fact, I’m feeling a little rage-y about it.

Katie, who is helping Nana Mae serve side dishes, chimes in. “Ten bucks says Cole’s been carrying a ring in his pocket for at least two months.”

I drop my fork on the table.

Nobody else seems to have noticed that I’ve stopped breathing. Junie doesn’t even look at me. Fucking Katie.

“I’ll take your ten and raise you a twenty that he’s had it for four months,” Fen says.

No one is getting out of this room alive.

“Fifty says he’s had it six months or more.” Nolan smirks.

Et tu, Brute?

Fucking traitors, all of them.

“That,” Junie says mildly, “Is the kind of thing that gets people uninvited from birthday dinners,Katherine.”

“Doesn’t make it less true.” Katie shrugs. This is why they’re best friends. They don’t allow each other to get away with anything.

“Junie,” I say, ignoring the way everyone leans in to listen. “Thank you. I love your idea and if it’s truly what you want, I—well, it means the world to me.”