Sweet Dandelion

I sober, my smile suddenly sad. “Yeah, I really am.”

He grabs the bottle of wine he’d uncorked before I came out of the bathroom and pours us each a glass.

Lifting his glass toward me, he gets a thoughtful expression. “To friendships that matter, relationships that are meant to last, and a passionate future wherever life might lead us.”

I pick up my glass, clinking it against his. The sound rings in the air.

“To what’s meant to be.”

Chapter Seventy-Four

A few days later it’s Christmas. Sage arrives at the apartment early and while Ansel answers the door, I scramble to make the bed and rid the bedroom of any evidence that might tip off Sage to the fact that Ansel is sleeping there. It’s not like I can keep him out of the bedroom since he has to go through there to get to the bathroom. I don’t think telling my brother he can’t use the bathroom would go over well.

I dart out of the bedroom, brushing my hair out of my eyes.

“Sage,” I smile, running over to hug him, “I’m so happy you ended up coming.”

Truly, the past few days spent showing him the city have been some of the best. Things felt normal for a little while.

He chuckles, hugging me back. “And to think you didn’t want your big brother to come.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I let him go and he sets down the bag he brought with him, pulling out a few gifts. There’s a small pile of presents in the corner near the living room balcony of things Ansel and I bought to exchange with each other and Sage, plus the gifts his family sent him.

“Something smells good. You can cook?” Sage addresses Ansel, knowing there’s no way the heavenly scent of freshly baked scones is my cause.

“A little bit. I’m learning.” Ansel walks behind me into the kitchen to check on them.

Sage arches a brow and gives me a look like maybe he hasn’t given Ansel enough credit. I stick my tongue out at him and he loops his arm around my neck, tugging me against his side.

“Did you stick your tongue out at me, Weed?” He messes up my hair.

“Let me go,” I laugh in protest, slithering out of his hold.

Ansel sets the blueberry scones out to cool.

Pointing at Sage’s bag I say, “So, what’d you get me?”

Several hours later we’ve opened our presents, cleaned up, and gorged ourselves on the delicious scones Ansel made as well as the sandwiches he put together later for lunch.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow.” I turn my head to look at my brother beside me where both of us lay on the floor in a food coma.

“You could come with me.”

Ansel left a little while ago to give us time alone since Sage will be leaving too early in the morning for me to see him.

“I’m not ready.” I stare above me at the detailed ceiling.

“When do y

ou think you will be?”

“Soon. I hope. I’m working on it. I’ve learned a lot about myself being away, but I still have a lot to deal with and I’m beginning to realize I can’t do it on my own and I need someone to guide me through it.”

He doesn’t comment, knowing how difficult it was for me in the past working with a therapist.

“You have to do what’s best for you. I’m proud of you, D.”

“Thanks.”