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“It’s okay. Just send me the details for the next one, and I’ll be there.”

“You got it, sis,” Wallace said, and they each gave her another hug.

Nova climbed into her car, still processing everything as she started the engine. As she pulled away from the house, her brothers’ words continued to echo in the back of her mind. Deep down, she believed them when they told her she could do this, that she was capable of standing on her own and building a life that wasn’t dictated by her parents, Rick, or the expectations constantly hanging over her head.

For the first time in a long time, she felt the smallest spark of confidence pushing through the fear. But she also wasn’t naive enough to let her guard down. Making a clean break from both her parents and Rick was never going to be simple. People like them didn’t lose control gracefully, and something told her this fight was only just beginning.

She shook her head as she drove. She prayed that others around the world were having a much more enjoyable Easter than she was.

CHAPTER FIVE

Snow pulled his truck along the curb and cut the engine, smiling faintly as he looked at the house he was parked in front of. Nails and Riley’s new place was the kind of home that made you feel something. Not because it was big or flashy, but because it had life. From the colorful flowers lining the walkway to the pastel Easter wreath on the door, it was obvious this house was filled with love.

And that made Snow feel two things at once. Happy, and a little hollow.

He tossed his keys on the passenger seat and leaned back for a second, while his thoughts spun.

He was happy for Nails. Hell, the guy deserved it after everything he and Riley had been through. But Snow couldn’t lie to himself and pretend there wasn’t a twinge of longing buried somewhere in his chest. He wanted this. He wanted a home and a woman who would look at him the way Riley looked at Nails. Someone who got him, like really got him, and still wanted to stick around.

But love and the life of a Navy SEAL didn’t always mix well. Most women couldn’t handle the long deployments, the silence, the constant threat of danger, and the loneliness.

Still, deep down, Snow believed she was out there—someone who was meant for him.

At least that’s what my mother keeps telling me, he thought with a sigh.

Lately, his mom had been on a matchmaking warpath, texting him pictures of her friends’ daughters, telling him how “lovely” and “available” they were. Last week, she even sent him a brunch menu from a country club event and said, “Wouldn’t this be a nice place to meet someone?”

Snow snorted at the memory.

Just as he leaned over to grab the bottle of wine and a few small Easter bags filled with treats from the passenger seat, his phone vibrated.

He grabbed the cell phone from the center console. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he swiped to answer.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Gabe, Happy Easter!” Her warm voice filled the cab, widening his smile.

“Happy Easter. How’s everyone back home?”

Before she could answer, a chorus of voices exploded in the background.

“Gabe!”

“Bro, you better FaceTime us next time!”

“When are you coming home to visit?”

“Okay, okay, one at a time!” Snow chuckled, adjusting the phone against his ear. His large family could get a little crazy.

“We’re good, but miss you,” his mom said when the chaos died down a little. “Your dad made his famous honey-baked ham, and your sister Rosa almost burned the house down trying to help in the kitchen, which is how we learned the smoke alarm still works.”

Snow laughed again, the sound soft and real. His chest ached a little. God, he missed his family.

“How’s work?” his mom asked, already knowing he wouldn’t give her real details but asking anyway.

“Busy,” he replied. “Same old, you know how it is.”

There was a pause at the other end. Then her voice softened. “You okay?”