Page 132 of The Replay

They could prove all my fears true, and decide I'm naive and unreliable. Could I be okay with that? With seeing disappointment in their eyes? I might even be signing up to endure a few years of heightened admonishments. Maybe a lifetime of only seeing their proud smiles in my memory.

It hurts, but not so much that I can't learn to live with it. Better than living with the pain of saying goodbye to Dom again.

For the gift of how he welcomes me, and the moments we create together, I'll survive anything.

Wow. Yeah.

I turn to Maisie. "And you said you'd be okay if I stayed in Seattle— but are you really okay with that? and I'd have to talk to Selena—"

"We can still work together." Maisie gives me a comforting smile. "We can consult. No need to drop the plans altogether. But we can hop on a video call anytime. No need for you to be in England. Just visit me loads, okay? I was getting excited about spending more time with you."

Cora nods at Maisie. "We'll go together too." She turns to me. "And I highly doubt Selena would be opposed to you fully taking over the department. She's super happy with what you've done."

"But wait." Maisie's tone switches to something more assertive. "We haven't asked the most important thing."

Cora and I turn to her.

"Would you be happy with him?" Maisie asks.

"I think— yeah." I gulp. "Yes. I think I would be."

"For a long time?" Maisie insists. "Potentially forever? That's the question Amira and I had to ask ourselves."

And they're married. Despite Mom and Dad's non-stellar reaction to their queer daughter. But Dom and I have never, ever talked about a wedding. Or long-term.

"I…" I hesitate.

"He asked you to figure out what you want." Cora leans close. "So figure out what you want."

"And figure out if you love him," Maisie says. "It's the only thing that makes everything worth it."

"If I love him?" I whisper.

My sisters gaze at me placidly, while my chest opens in two. The day is almost gone, but the last rays of sun sneak in through the crack, shining light and bringing warmth to my system. Making my thoughts sparkle for once. Because everything Dom and I have been through since I came to work with the Strikehas led us to this… and I'm feeling just like I did back in college. When I loved him so much the idea of leaving tore me apart.

It's so familiar, so known to me, I never questioned it. Never named it for what it was. Love, of course.

I love Dom like I did back then.

"Holy shit," I say.

The sun has disappeared behind clouds and the horizon, but it doesn't matter. It's high noon inside of me now.

What I want is a chance at a life with him. I want that most of all.

"Ah, hermanita." Cora hugs me. "Can't wait to see what comes next."

"Happy for you." Maisie brings me close in a sideway hug too.

I take turns gazing at them. "Thank you."

Whatever my parents' response, one thing I know. With my sisters I belong.

And now it's all about what Dom and I do at the gala, and the plans we decide on afterwards.

Chapter 42

Dom