Absolutely.

I shrugged off my wrap and tossed it to the bucket chair. I pulled my phone out of my clutch and my clutch joined the wrap.

Finally, I bent my head to my phone, pulling up Merry’s text string.

Best night I ever had. Thank you, baby.

I stared at it, thumb hovering over the send button.

“I’m not gonna fuck this up,” I told my phone and my thumb hit the screen.

I let out the huge breath I didn’t know I was holding, walked to the door, opened it, locked the storm, closed the door, locked it, then moved back to my bedroom.

I had my dress and shoes off, new undies and jeans on, when my phone I’d tossed on the bed sounded.

I snatched it up.

I’m glad, brown eyes.

I grinned and my thumb moved.

Best morning too, BTW.

I tossed the phone back to my bed and went to my dresser to choose a tee.

I was tugging it on when my phone sounded again.

I went back to it.

That’s my good girl.

I didn’t grin at that.

I shivered.

After I experienced that hint of beauty, my thumb moved again.

Stop turning me on and go fight crime.

I hit send.

I was making coffee when my phone sounded again.

Worth the wait.

I stared at Merry’s text, my eyes feeling funny—not dry and burning, something else—before I lifted my phone and tapped it against my forehead like I could tap the words of his text into my brain.

I brought it down and my thumb flew.

Later, gorgeous.

Not long after, I got back, Absolutely.

I poured my coffee and after, turned my back to the counter and rested against it.

I stared at my awesome kitchen that was full of personality.

And I took that moment to revel in another of the boons life sent my way—boons that were coming far more frequently these days—this being the fact that I was facing the first day in a very long time, riding a quiet high of anticipation for what was to come next.

The day before had been fucked up by me being worried about what Merry would think about Ethan sending that text and not me.

This day, there was nothing to fuck it up.

Nothing.

It was all good and the forecast was strong it would only get better.

I’d never had that either, so I knew to appreciate it.

And that I did.

* * * * *

I heard the knock on the door, and right on its heels, “Mom! It’s Merry! Can I get it?”

I was sitting on the side of my bed, zipping up my boot. I turned my head toward the clock on my nightstand.

Shit, it was five twenty-five.

Merry was early.

“I’ll get it!” I yelled, hurrying with the zip.

“But it’s just Merry!” Ethan yelled back. “I saw him from the window!”

Ethan wasn’t allowed to open the door unless it was to his gramma.