“I found this at the house.” When I said that I meant my house. As well as working on paintings, I’d slowly been going through my house and moving everything over to ours. I was getting rid of a lot of old stuff, but there was plenty I wanted. Like the little note I found. “It’s a note from my dad.”

Through our bond, their emotions turned sad and careful. “It doesn’t even matter what it said. It was a reminder not to be home too late because of some kind of dinner we were having. But he signed it ‘love you, dad.’”

Ben was the first one to understand. I felt it. “Esme.”

“I’m not sure which of you would be the best one.”

“The best what?” Rylan asked.

Kade scrubbed a hand over his face. “To tattoo it. Right, baby?”

I nodded. “Here.” The inside of my other wrist, where I could always see it. “It’s his handwriting. I just thought…”

Pushing off the wall, Kade came over. “I’ll do it. I’m probably the best at mimicking like this. Me or Ben.”

Ben put up his hands. “I’m better at the photographs. Handwriting is all you.”

“It won’t take long,” Kade said. “Promise.”

I took a breath. “For this, I can take the pain. And now you know why I couldn’t be naked,” I laughed to lighten the mood.

“Yeah,” Rylan chuckled. “Definitely.”

Kade took the note and scanned it and made a transfer before fitting it to my wrist. “Does that look good?”

“It’s perfect.”

“Good.” He turned my face toward him and kissed me briefly. “Thank you for letting me do it.”

I couldn’t speak now. It was already too much seeing his handwriting on my wrist. He positioned my arm, and the buzzing started, and the pain. But this was bearable.

He hadn’t lied, it only took a few minutes with the simple lines, and when I opened my eyes, it was there.

Love you, Dad

I blinked away the tears as Kade took me in his arms. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

All of them came to me, embracing me and burying me in comfort. “I love you.”

The responding purrs broke the somber mood and made us all laugh. The tattoo was perfect, and it felt like finally, I was dealing with it. He was always with me, even though he was gone, and I knew—I knew—he’d be proud of where I was.

“Okay.” I hopped off the table. “Home? I’m starving.”

“Same,” Avery called. “And I don’t want to cook. I’ll order ahead.”

“Chinese, please. And add some cupcakes?”

He nodded, pulling out his phone, and I stumbled on the way out of the private room, catching myself on the door frame. Luke was by my side instantly. “You okay?”

Pain pulsed low in my stomach. Sharp, accompanied with a burst of warmth.