At the end of the day, we watched the fireworks overhead. Neil’s fingers touched mine lightly before he entwined our hands. We stood there, our heads aimed at the sky, holding hands until it was time to go back to Tampa.

Now the three of us are sprawled out in Craig’s man cave.

“Ouch,” Marian says as she sits up. “My legs are sore. Am I so out of shape that simply walking around has made my legs burn? Actually, don’t answer that question.”

“Well, we did walk, what, like ten miles or something?”

Paula has a fancy watch that counts her steps, so she kept updating us as she hit different milestones. For the most part, Craig, Paula, and Sarah lagged behind us yesterday. A few times, Sarah was even able to pull them away to something she wanted to do, which left us alone.

“This couch is insanely comfortable,” Marian remarks as she sinks farther down in the cushions.

“The pullout is even better,” Neil replies. He’s been sleeping here, while Marian’s been crashing with me.

I stretch my legs out on the ottoman and fall a little to the right so I’m touching Neil. And, yes, I’m totally doing this on purpose.

Marian stands up with a few groans. “I’m going to go check in on Rob, make sure he hasn’t burned down the town yet. That dude should not be left to his own devices. Yeah, anyway, I’ll be a while. So …”

She lets that hang in the air as she goes downstairs.

Not going to lie, I’ve been waiting for this alone time with Neil.

I’d been comfortable lounging near him, feeling his heat radiate on my skin. Neil shifts a bit so he can see me better.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” I reply shyly.

Neil looks down at the floor. There’s a beat of silence.

“I’m really glad you’re here,” I state for probably the hundredth time. It means everything to me that he made the trip.

“Like anything could’ve stopped me when you said you wished I was coming.”

“Of course I wanted you here. I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t.”

Neil takes my hand. I like the sensation of being linked with him. I feel safe.

“I’ve really missed you,” he says. “I can’t even imagine how you’re doing with your dad.”

“It’s really hard.” My voice cracks slightly. The wall I’ve built with Paula with the “fines” and “okays” and just going along with everything has been shattered with the arrival of Marian and Neil. I don’t have to hide how heartbroken I am about everything. “I feel so helpless about it because there’s absolutely nothing I can do.”

“It’s not permanent,” Neil reminds me. “This isn’t for forever.”