“I’m never going to stop believing in you.” The words rose in my throat again, the scary ones that wanted to come out, but then he claimed my mouth in another soft, sweet kiss and the words fled. I’d get there. Eventually.

And I was starting to believe that we’d get a future filled with chances. But first, Milo had one more mountain to conquer and I was going to be right there, cheering him on. Whatever happened with Bruno, he’d have me, but I really hoped his big brother didn’t break his heart.

Chapter Forty

Milo

This was going to be hard. Jasper might believe in me, but right there on the front step of my mom’s little apartment, I wasn’t sure whether I agreed. Brave. Jasper had said that about me more than once, but he was the truly fearless one as far as I was concerned. And my courage was in short supply as I raised my hand to knock.

“Milo!” The door swung open before I finished the knock. Bruno stood there, a weird mix of military haircut and posture and civilian sweats and bare feet. His hair was damp and he had a huge smile for me. He looked both exactly like I remembered and completely different.

“You made it.” I gave him a back-slapping hug.

“Yup. A little while ago. Caught a transport flight up from Virginia then had to battle traffic. I’m still catching up to the luxury of having easy hot water.” Chuckling, he finished drying off his hair with one of Mom’s good towels with the angel print. “How are you, man?”

“I’m good.” It surprised me how much I meant it. I was. I still had some uncertainty about my living situation, but I’d had a promising interview that morning. Yesterday, I’d taken care of business with the car and handled the money aspect with the professors’ help. I felt lighter. Free. Ready, like I’d told Jasper.

When we’d been parked at the playground, he’d offered to come with me tonight, but as much as I’d come to rely on him being my emotional support human, I’d wanted to do this part on my own. I’d told Mom that I was bringing a friend tomorrow when more friends and family would be stopping by for a homecoming party for Bruno. But I wasn’t the type to do a big public announcement at the party, and it didn’t seem fair to ambush Bruno or put Jasper on the spot. No, this way we could talk first. The mature choice, Jasper had called it, even though his eyes had said he wanted to come. But then he’d kissed me, warmed me in places I hadn’t even known were chilly, and my plan had seemed smart.