Page 101 of The Bright Omega

“Always,” she says softly. Then, brighter, “So… how are you feeling? For real.”

I smile, wiggling my toes in Leith’s lap. “I’m good. Actually, we’re going on vacation. The guys want to take me to Nantucket for my heat.”

Lucy squeals. “Pictures! I want pictures. Not of the heat, obviously. But the place. I’ve never been to Nantucket.”

We talk for a few more minutes. It’s light and easy. When we finally hang up, I set the phone down and let out a long breath.

Leith gives my foot one last gentle squeeze.

“So obviously Lucy doesn’t want you telling her family about whatever she has going on.”

He shrugs. “I won’t. Daniel asked me to check on her after your apartment was vandalized. When she said she was moving in with a friend, he was worried.”

“You had the guys investigated, right?”

He chuckles. “You know I did.”

“And they’re good?”

He nods. “No skeletons that I could find. I’ll let her keep her secret a while longer.”

“You’re a good cousin,” I say, crawling over to kiss his cheek.

He pulls me into his lap instead. “I’d rather be a good mate.” He nuzzles my neck, marking me with his woodsmoke scent.

“That part needs practice,” I tease.

He growls softly. Then in one swift move, he stands, lifting me with him. “We better get to it then.”

By the time we finally emerge from my nest, Piers and the others have everything arranged for our trip. We’re leaving tomorrow for three weeks in Nantucket.

I’ve discovered muscles I didn’t know existed, and every single one of them is currently screaming at me.

Piers has taken it upon himself to give us personal tours of practically every inch of the property. It’s been less than a week, and we’ve already hiked to the rocky cove where he and his grandfather used to fish at dawn, the winding trails they took through the woods, and the hidden swimming spot where the water is surprisingly warm.

We’re all gathered in the kitchen of the old house. It has that beautiful, old-money-fallen-into-disrepair charm. The hardwood floors are worn. The crown molding on the high ceilings is dusty. There’s a massive stone fireplace along the wall that desperately needs a good scrubbing. But there’s a vase filled with colorful wildflowers on the table and that small pop of color makes this place feel so much like home that it gives me chills every time I look at it. The whole place feels lived-in and loved, even if it needs some TLC. I cannot wait to start plans for fixing it up.

Finn is currently feeding me slices of bacon that Beck cooked, holding each piece to my lips like I’m royalty. I take it, making a pleased sound that Finn seems to like.

“What’s on the agenda for today?” Beck asks Piers, who’s leaning against the counter with his coffee.

Piers glances out the window at the gray sky. “It’s going to be overcast most of the day, so probably a good day for fishing.”

I let out a groan.

Leith, sitting beside me, raises an eyebrow. “You don’t like fishing?”

“Me? Sitting still and quiet for hours on end?” I say, leaning back in my chair with a dramatic sigh. “I’d do it for Piers, though. It’s just that I’m so sore. I honestly don’t think my ass can walk to the shore today. Even my muscles’ muscles hurt.”

Beck chuckles from the stove, flipping another pancake. “Poor baby. Was it the hike that did it, or last night’s aerobics sessions?”

I shoot him a look, but there’s no heat in it. “You’re all banned from touching me for the next twenty-four hours. I need recovery time.”

Piers’ mouth curves. “We’ll see how long that lasts.”

I narrow my eyes at him, but I can’t quite hide my own smile. Even sore and exhausted, I’ve never been happier.

Leith, who’s been nursing his coffee, finally speaks up. “Cards?”