“I love you,” he whispered, then entered the bathroom to change. I put my bra on, thankful that I’d pumped for Calla before I got here. How embarrassing would it be to have a milk incident all over Luke? Yikes, that was something to consider for next time.

“Luke, are you here? Liam?” It was Ash’s voice. Wow, that was too close. I stood up and opened the door.

“Hey, Ash,” I called.

He turned to me with a grin. “All made up with Luke? I told everyone to just leave you alone.” That was Asher. He was quiet and serious and always there when I needed him. He was a good brother and a good dad to Mark and Mara. Too bad he’d picked a crap wife; she took off years ago, leaving him with the kids. I walked over and gave him a hug. He kissed the top of my head.

“I think so. At least we’re headed that way.” I grinned up at him. Asher was tall, six feet, three inches, and solid as a rock. His body matched his personality—strong, steady, immovable. He was the only sibling who shared the redhead gene with me and Rose.

“I’m happy for you, then. It was meant to be.”

Luke walked out of the bathroom, and I blew him a kiss goodbye. He shook his head and strode toward me. He bent low and kissed my lips. “That’s how we say goodbye.” He smiled at me, and I tried to keep my knees from buckling.

How could I have forgotten how sweet and romantic Luke could be?

“Bye, Luke,” I whispered, then turned to head back to Violet’s.

11

Lily

I walked across the parking lot to Violet’s with my head firmly in the clouds. My smile was goofy, and my mood was a strange mixture of euphoric and nervous. My heart pounded a fast, terrified staccato while my brain swirled with giddy thoughts. A strange voice calling my name knocked me out of my deliriously muddled, confusingly ecstatic stupor.

“Lily Sullivan?”

I stopped with my hand on the doorknob and wrinkled my nose. “Do I know you?”

“I used to work with Will. I am here to pick up his remaining files.”

Fighting the urge to dart inside the shop, I answered. “I don’t have any of Will’s work things. It’s been over a year since he died. I think you’re full of crap. Why are you really here?” I studied his face. I didn’t know him, even though he looked vaguely familiar. If he knew Will, then he knew that Will did not break the rules and store evidence at home.

“I’m looking for a missing flash drive. Are you sure you haven’t seen anything like that?” A phony smile crossed his face as he stood up.