Chapter 23

• Still half-asleep, we made our way downstairs, hand in hand. I expected him to pull away once we reached the hallway, but he didn’t. Instead, his grip tightened, his fingers intertwining with mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. The small gesture sent a flutter through my chest that I tried and failed to ignore.
• At the door, I fumbled with the locks, unfastening each one with my free hand. There were five in total my mother’s idea of “safety.” Finally, I swung the door open.
• A rush of cold air hit me, along with the sight of my brother standing on the porch, duffel bag at his feet and a wide grin on his face.