Chapter 311

The last syllable was soft and sweet like melted candy. Broderick paused just as he was reaching for the seatbelt. Then, instead of buckling his own, he leaned over and reached to fasten Leslie's for her. But before he could finish, he stiffened slightly-Leslie had already wrapped her arms around him. Her hair brushed against his jaw, tickling it... and something deeper. His chest tightened just a bit. "Leslie, come on, you've gotta let go. I can't buckle you in like this." But she clung tighter. Holding him like this-this real, living, breathing person-gave her a sense of safety and warmth that she couldn't quite describe. She could feel it: Broderick didn't seem to push her away as much now. The sudden passing of the Ackerley couple had left scars on all three siblings, no doubt. Broderick? He'd always been the type to stay composed, to bottle things up, to walk it off with a poker face. But it's fine. She would take the lead. She'd gently guide him, little by little, until he learne