Elias stops in front of her bedroom door and encourages her to enter. She steps into the room and he flicks the lights on.

She gasps as her eyes fall on the mural of Mushroom, the three of us standing next to him. I felt like the picture needed something else besides the big tree, so I decided to paint the two of them. Then Elias insisted I include myself. He said Olivia would love to have me there as well.

A sob breaks out from her and she throws herself into her brother’s arms. He laughs, hugging her back, then dragging me into the embrace with them. I try to pull away, but he only squeezes harder.

“Indigo painted it,” he says.

Olivia looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with tears and surprise. “Thank you,” she whispers and wraps an arm around me.

Elias kisses the top of her head and my heart melts.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

ELIAS

Indigo and I talk every night before bed. Once she’s asleep, I quietly leave my room and lie on the couch. I end up staring at the ceiling most nights, wondering if I should sleep next to her. But then I remember that no matter how attracted I am to Indigo, and how painful it feels to be away from her, we need to take things slowly.

She just got out of the bathroom after taking a shower. I’m doing my best to neaten the covers and fluff her pillow, anything to distract me from thinking about what’s underneath her shorts and T-shirt. She collapses on the bed and a quiet sigh escapes her lips as her body relaxes.

While I’ve been working on making tree therapy a real thing, Indigo has called a bunch of agencies and visited tons of places. She said there are lots available, but none of them felt like home. I can understand that, so I’ve reassured her she can stay until she finds something she loves.

“Did your mom call?” I ask, lying down next to her.

We’re both on our backs, looking up at the ceiling. She turns her body to face me, and I do the same.

“No,” she answers simply. She doesn’t seem sad about it.

“Do you want her to call?” I ask out of curiosity.

“Not really.”

I nod. I’ve never been through anything like this, but I can understand a little of what she’s feeling. I try to put myself in her place. There must be a reason she doesn’t want her mom around. Don’t know much about her dad. He was pretty absent every time we met. They’re kind of unpleasant people to be around.

“There’s nothing you can do with your grandma’s house? Like, buy it or something?”