Rafe looks at me with a little grimace, slowly taking the envelope out of the box and moving to tuck it into his back pocket for later, not wanting to make me watch.
“No, read it!” I say, flapping my hands at him and working hard to tuck my disappointment low in my stomach. Because, I mean, I know that if mom knew I was here she would never have left me out – would probably have written me the longest letter of all. I can’t be hurt by this, and I don’t want him to have to wait.
“Are you sure?” he asks, hesitating, turning the envelope over in his hands.
Jesse rips his open, digging in, giving me a little shrug. I nod eagerly at Rafe, encouraging him, as Ben gives me a soft pat on the shoulder, not saying anything but…letting me know that he’s here for me.
Rafe sighs but can’t help it.
