When they’d gone on that mission trip to South America, Ethan and Genevieve had been the same age. Twelve. Ethan was a goofy, talkative sixth-grader. The opportunity to become anything other than that had been crushed along with his body by the weight of an entire building.

“I know I speak for all of us,” Genevieve said, “when I say that we’d really like for you to hang out with us while you’re living here in Misty River, Luke.”

He sincerely doubted that she was speaking for Sebastian.

“We get together at least once a month,” Natasha added, “and it would mean a lot if you could come now and then.”

“Seeing one another has been good for us.” Genevieve set a half-eaten cookie on her plate. “It’s my hope that seeing us might turn into something that’s good for you, too.”

“I’ll think about it.” Luke didn’t plan to think about it.

“No gathering that the four of us have ever had,” Natasha said, “has felt complete without you in it.”

Luke never mentioned his affiliation with the group. Even so, the people in his life had occasionally found out. When they did, they immediately asked him about the other four. He could guess what it had been like for the rest of them, who didn’t hide their past and were out in society much more than he was. They’d probably had to field countless questions about him.

Two more people, who were introduced to him as Leah and Sam, walked up. Sam was engaged to Genevieve.

Sebastian’s girlfriend, Leah, was the sister of the kid who’d been feeding Luke information on Blair. “Thanks for setting things up between me and Dylan,” Luke told her.

“You’re welcome. When it comes to the teenagers in our lives, we adults need to have each other’s back.”

Sebastian’s face softened with tenderness as he looked at Leah. Luke had never imagined that the tough, miserable foster kid he’d known would fall for someone. But he had.

As they talked, Natasha’s redheaded husband also joined them. Apparently they’d been married for several years and had two kids together.

Three of the Miracle Five seemed content in their relationships. More than content. Happy. They’d accomplished what he never had. They’d moved on.

As soon as possible, Luke made an excuse and separated from them.

Dakota intercepted him. Great.

She steered him to the heated tent.

Once there, he spotted Finley immediately. She and Derek were slow dancing to Elvis’s “Love Me Tender.”

Futility and longing clawed at him.

“You like Finley, don’t you?” Dakota asked.

She’d caught him staring. “No,” he lied.

“I’d be the happiest girl in the world if you didn’t like me as much as you don’t like her.”

He remained silent.

“Finley’s awesome,” she said. “If she’s into you—”

“She isn’t.”