I couldn't believe I was actually having fun.
Real fun—not the kind where I had to look over my shoulder or pretend to be fine just to keep others from worrying. This was laughter that bubbled out of me without warning. This was freedom.
"Thank you, Amber," I said sincerely, turning to her as I took in the glowing clearing, the music, the laughter, the soft light strung between the trees. "I really appreciate all of this. It means more than you know."
She smiled warmly, brushing her hair away from her face as she leaned slightly closer. "It's nothing," she said. "Your family's taken such good care of us. This… this is just our way of saying thank you. To your father. To your mother. To you. For letting us in."
Her words caught me off guard but in the best way possible. There was no trace of rivalry left in her voice—only sincerity.
