Chapter 8Ben
I don’t know why it hit me so hard when I saw Lake kiss River’s cheek with such clear affection. Maybe it was the casual way that told me they were incredibly comfortable in each other’s space? Because I’d never had that with anyone—except…I kind of had it once. With River.
That thought helped me with going to sit with him while Lake pointedly ignored us and Rey concentrated on his book.
I didn’t even realize I was holding River’s hand before I was about to go, but when I did figure it out, I also realized I didn’t want to let go.
I wanted to be close to him again, like we had when we were kids. Memories I’d long suppressed likely so I wouldn’t miss him quite as much, came to the forefront of my mind as I followed Lake into the office.
He took one look at me and smiled, t
