Page 89 of Best Laid Plans

“Of course it came from Hannibal,” he huffs out a laugh. “Remind me to send that man a crate of beer.”

I cuddle into him as he lies back, my head on the crook of his shoulder, my hand on his chest. “What happens now?”

“Now we wait for you to get discharged, and then we get married.”

“And then?”

“And then we can do whatever the fuck we want. No more running, no more sacrificing yourself. You get to enjoy every second of your freedom.”

“And you’ll be with me?”

“Every step of the way.”

Epilogue

1

LIL

I bite into the burger and moan in delight. Powers scowls at me before adjusting himself. I grin unrepentantly until Greer clears her throat.

“Sorry.” I chuckle when she blushes and adjusts her glasses.

“You two need to get a fucking room,” Kruger grumbles.

“Since when has that stopped them?” Delphi laughs, her eyes on Theo and Rebecca, who are eating ice cream at the table in the corner.

I shrug. She has a point. If being a club girl has taught me anything, it’s to leave your inhibitions at the door.

Greer shakes her head, but not in a way that makes me think she’s judging me. She’s not used to talking so openly about this kind of stuff. And if talking makes her blush, then she sure as shit never let someone fuck her where others might see.

I stare at her as she focuses on the forms on the table and wonder, not for the first time, what her story is. I know shit went down between her, Toot, and Mack when she was in high school. I know Toot said stupid shit that I’m sure he wishes he could take back, but something tells me there’s more to it than that. Or perhaps that was just a part of her story, and the rest was an even bigger shitshow.

She’s about as closed off as someone can get while being sweet and nice. When she lifts her head, she slides the papers over to Delphi. “Just need you both to sign here, and that’s the last of it. You were lucky you got Judge Johnson. He still asks me about Theo. That kid made a huge impression on him.”

“That kid makes an impression on everyone,” Kruger admits.

“How’s he doing after everything?” she asks. I look over at Kruger and see him tense. Greer doesn’t know all the details, but she knows enough. It was unavoidable, given that she ended up being both Theo and Rebecca’s caseworker.

“He’s doing okay. That therapist you recommended helped a lot. He liked his old one, but I think he connects more with this one.”

“All the kids I send her way love her. I’m glad it worked out. Rebecca’s obviously adjusting well, but younger kids tend to bounce back faster than older ones. They don’t process things in the same way.”

“She still has her weekly session too, but the doctor doesn’t think she needs to go so regularly unless her nightmares start back up again,” Delphi admits.

“I’m really happy for you guys. I wish all my kids ended up with parents like you two,” she says softly.

“Don’t say shit like that. Delphi will try taking them all.”

“Stop making it sound like I collect children like Pokémon. On a side note, though, we’re more than willing to foster any kids that need respite. I can’t guarantee I won’t get attached, but despite what my husband says, I know I can’t keep them all.”

Greer looks at Delphi like she hung the moon. “Thanks, Delphi, that’s actually really good to know.” I hear a crack in her voice, but nobody else seems to have noticed.

Delphi reaches over and squeezes her hand. “I’ve gotta go. I have a delivery due at The Book Nook this afternoon. It was good seeing you again, Greer. Come by the nook sometime. Pastries on me.”

“I will, thanks.”

Delphi kisses Kruger as I lean over and steal the discarded pickle off Powers’s plate.