““I was being sincere. Hold on to it as long as you can, Lark. Life knocks the stuffing out of you eventually. Look at me. Look at Cade. As long as things are simple, keep them that way. As long as unrequited liking is the least of your worries . . . it’s not so bad.” “It feels bad.” “I know. Take comfort in the fact that that actually makes you pretty normal.” “Not comforted.” He laughed. “That’s normal too.” “Shut up.” “Love you too.” He didn’t say it often enough. But it had never been easy for him to say. That earned him a smile. “I do. Love you, you know. Thanks for trying. And thanks for . . . being willing to kill someone for me.” “It’s what brothers are for. ’Night””
