She added that to the long list of things she loved about him. “The other night Tru said that even as a kid you were the smartest boy he’d ever known.”

He shrugged and said, “He says shit like that all the time.”

“I believe him, Quincy. You’re always studying and learning, and the way you’re living your life proves how smart you are.”

“Or maybe it just proves I’m determined.” He swept her into his arms, giving her a chaste kiss, and said, “Enough about my tattoos.”

“Wait! Do you have one for the kids?”

“Of course, and one for Tru and Gemma and each of the Whiskeys. The chains around my left arm. There’s a link for each of them, and just beneath the chains you’ll see a garden, which has a flower for Jed and my other friends who I’ve gotten close to. And in that garden—”

“There’s a penny. I’ve seen it. For Penny, right?” she asked, loving that he knew she wouldn’t get jealous over that.

“Exactly. We’d better get a move on so we’re not late picking up the kids. Uncle Quincy can’t be late.”

“Is that weird for you that Kennedy and Lincoln are your siblings, but they call you Uncle Quincy?”

“No. It’s a blessing,” he said. “I pray they don’t remember a thing before coming to live with Tru.”

“That makes sense. Will you guys ever tell them the truth?”

“I’m going to leave that up to Tru and Gemma to decide. But Tru knows that I think we should tell them everything when they’re adults and they can handle it. They deserve to know the truth.”

She slipped her finger into his belt loop and said, “Does it worry you that it might change your relationship with them?”

“Sure, but I can’t let my fears keep us from doing the right thing.” He glanced at her bag sitting on the floor by the door and said, “Did you pack clothes to stay at my place for the next couple of nights?”

“Yeah, let me just grab my books so I don’t forget.”

She went to get the books, and as she put them in her bag, he glanced at them and said, “You got more books on overcoming addiction? I could have gotten them for you at a discount.”

“I know, but I found them for only two dollars each at a secondhand store online.” She pushed to her feet and said, “Elisa recommended them.”

“You told her?”

“Is that okay? She likes you so much, she was talking about how nice a young man you are and asking about where you grew up. I didn’t want to lie.”

He took her hand, emotions rising in his eyes as he said, “It’s more than okay. I’m glad you’re not ashamed of me.”

“Quincy, you’ve done—you’re doing—something amazing. You’re beating the odds. I’m not ashamed of what you’ve gone through. Getting mixed up in drugs can happen to anyone. It happens, and I don’t mean to sound casual about it, but drugs are everywhere. I’m sorry you went through it, but I’m not going to act like it didn’t happen or like it’s something I have to hide. I’m proud of all you’re doing for yourself and for others.”