Page 96 of Dissonance

“I’m the one who’s leaving,” I say, firmer. “I’m not taking that.”

“It’s already done,” he says, utterly unbothered. “Think of it as a… I don’t know”—he waves his hand around—“a bonus. A thank you. A legally binding reason you can never leave my life.”

I drag a hand over my jaw. I don’t need it, but I don’t have a clue how to say that without it sounding like I don’t appreciate what he’s trying to do.

Resigned, I pick up the envelope in both hands and exhale, tucking it into my pocket. “I’ll still be around.”

“I know. Financially obligated friendship.”

“You were never an obligation, Cooper,” I tell him, rearing back when his eyes start to turn glassy.

“Shit, Lockie, you’re going to make me cry,” he says, wincing. “Uh…there isn’t actually anything in that. I wanted to make this big grand gesture, but do you know how long it was going to take to get a checkbook sent out? My finance guy’s going to get everything transferred over by the end of tomorrow.”

I snort, leaving the envelope exactly where I’ve put it.

Cooper turns at the sound of Declan coming back, tilting his head back without even thinking. Declan leans down and presses a quick kiss to his lips.

“Hi,” Cooper says, smiling like he hasn’t seen him in hours instead of minutes.

“You do it?” Declan asks, hand brushing the back of Cooper’s neck.

“Yup,” he says. “He hates it.”

Declan looks at me seriously. “Use it. For the company.”

Cooper’s head swings around. “Wait—what company?”

Declan freezes, staring at me like he just said something he wasn’t supposed to.

“What company?” Cooper asks again, sitting up straighter, scowling at his husband. “You knew something and didn’t tell me?”

“It’s nothing yet. I was just looking for advice.”

“It wasn’t my news to tell,” Declan says. “And I knew if I told you, you would’ve hounded Lockie about it.”

“I wouldn’t have—” He stops, because even he knows that’s not true. “I would’ve given advice,” he says, looking indignant and pointing at Declan. “We’re talking about this later.” He turns to me, and whatever he was going to say shifts when he sees my expression. “I want to know everything, okay? We’re here to help. However we can.”

“Another time,” I say, pushing to my feet. “I promise.”

“You better.”

Shoving my hands into my pockets, I rock on my heels, that awkwardness Cooper predicted now sinking in. “I should head back to the hotel. Got an early flight in the morning.”

“You could’ve stayed here,” Declan says. “We’ve got plenty of room.”

“It’s fine,” I say, digging the car keys out of my pocket. “I’m sorted.”

Cooper’s standing at the doorway, more solemn than I’ve seen him in a long time. I walk toward him and stick out my hand, but he bats it away, throwing his arms around my midsection, taking the wind out of me.

“Thank you,” he whispers. “For everything.”

“Isn’t that my line?” He pulls back, eyes wet, pink across his cheeks. “You’ll see me all the time. Thea’s still your manager.”

Like he’d forgotten that, he laughs, looking immediately relieved. He walks me to the door, staying inside as it continues to pour. Running to the car, I wave once more and get in behind the wheel. The rain’s loud on the roof, Taunton Falls gray and miserable around me.

My phone’s in my pocket, her name in my head, the entire drive back to the hotel a blur. I’ll be home tomorrow. To early mornings and late nights. To a woman who doesn’t fully realize how much space she’s taken up inside me. To a life that hasn’t properly started yet and already feels like everything.

Chapter Thirty-Eight