"There you are," I sigh, sitting across from Everett at one of the tables outside the café. "Why are you here? I thought Briar and her parents were leaving today."

Everett nods, staring out at the street like he did all those years ago when he was waiting for Gareth to show up. His expression is contemplative like it was back then, but it's only contemplative. Not sad or regretful like it used to be.

"They are," Everett says. "I just wanted a moment to myself." He laughs softly, tilting his head back to look up at the sky. The sun sparks off his eyes, making them glow amber. "The house has been a little crazy with Idris packing to move in with his brother and Briar and her parents packing to head home."

I nod. "Understandable." I sit back, puffing out my cheeks to exhale. "Already the end of the summer, huh...?" I risk a glance at Everett. He's still looking up. "How's it been for you? Everything you hoped it would be?"

Everett takes a deep breath, his shoulders slowly rising and falling. "I think it was a good summer. Gareth and I are okay now. Briar doesn't hate me. So I think that's a win."

I nod, running my hand over the wooden table. "I hate to say it, but I think seeing Idris and his parents helped with that a little bit. For both Gareth and Briar." I sigh, shaking my head. "I hope you realize there are worse parents out there."

Everett nods, returning his head to a neutral position to look at me. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean I was a good parent."

I frown. "You've apologized and tried to make up for your mistakes. I think you're in the clear compared to most people."

Everett smiles at me, his eyes glowing even more if that's possible. "Thanks, Marlowe." His smile slips and he looks out at the street. "I still feel bad for being anything like Idris' parents, though." He shakes his head. "Poor kid."

I tuck a foot beneath me and shrug as I grab my ankle. "He's out of there now. And he has his brother." Everett looks at me, arching an eyebrow. I wave him off before he can say anything. "Ugh. I know. How dare I say something remotely nice about Roman."

He's around a lot more now that he's starting to move out of his parents' house. He mostly interacts with Idris which means he interacts with Briar, too. Briar tells me he's not too awful anymore, and I can't help but agree. It's pretty obvious he's screening his words before he says anything, especially to Idris. And weirdly to me, too. It's funny in a sadistic sort of way, but it's also... nice... knowing he's sorry about what he's said in the past. I guess I have to give him credit for that if I'm telling Everett to give himself credit for it.

"Roman's trying," Everett muses.

I nod, scrunching up my face. "Took him long enough..." Everett gives me a look, and I roll my eyes. "I know. I've been trying to cut him some slack." I sigh, looking out at the street as a car passes by. "Especially knowing his parents messed him up."

Everett doesn't respond right away. He shifts, clearing his throat. "I think I messed up Gareth a little bit, too." My head snaps to Everett, but he focuses on his clasped hands. "And no matter how much I try to make things up to him, it's not enough."

"I don't think that's for you to decide. I think that's up to Gareth. And as far as I can tell, it seems like he doesn't think you're as bad as Idris' parents. That's a win. Besides, at least you feel bad. Idris' parents still think they're right."

Everett nods, but he still doesn't meet my eyes. "I know you're right. I just need to let it sink in."

I stand, holding my hand out to him. "You can do that on the way back to your house. You don't want to miss Briar getting ready to be a Broadway star."

Everett takes my hand, letting me pull him to his feet. "Definitely not."

He walked here, so I give him a ride back to his house. When I turn onto the street, I spot Briar and Idris on the front steps. Both their bags are on the porch. Briar is on the bottom step, and Idris is on the ground level, his hands on her waist. Briar holds his face in her hands, smiling as she says something. Her expression sobers as she starts to lean in. Her eyes flicker to me and Everett as we get closer, and she changes course, kissing Idris on the cheek instead of on the lips.

"Dammit!" I hit the steering wheel. "Came at the wrong time."

Everett gives me an amused look. "You really like them together, don't you?"

I glare at him, cutting the engine. "Yes. They're like my favorite couple next to Lanh and Hien. Except they are Lanh and Hien, so they're my favorite couple."

Everett nods, watching them through the windshield. They're still in the same position. They probably know we're here, but I think they have their own little bubble around them. Blocking off just enough of the world to be comfortable the way they are. So. Adorable.

"They really do help each other through a lot," Everett says, taking his seatbelt off. "I hope they stay together while Briar's in New York."

I grip the steering wheel. "They better be, or I'll hunt them both down."

Everett pats me on the shoulder, opening the door with his free hand. "Okay, Marlowe..."

He gets out of the car, and I follow him. Briar and Idris smile and wave at us. Idris slips his arm around Briar's waist and lifts her off the bottom step and onto even ground. She giggles, clinging onto him even when she's on her own two feet. Again: So. Adorable.

"Ready for Broadway?" Everett asks.

Briar nods. "Yeah. I think so."

Idris smiles down at her. "You'll be great."

She rests her head on his shoulder. "I hope so."

"Well," I lean forward, "we know so." I straighten again, lightly hitting Idris in the shoulder with the back of my hand. "What about you? All done packing to move in with Roman?"

Idris nods. "He's coming to pick me up—" Roman's car turns onto the street right on cue "—right now."

Roman climbs out of the car and joins us. Idris doesn't hesitate to high-five and fist-bump his brother, and the sight makes me smile. Roman catches it, and he risks offering me his own smile. I nod at him, not feeling completely annoyed. Seeing Idris so at ease around him makes me think he is making an effort to be better. Like Hai did at the end of The Quiet Nights series. I've been seeing it for the last few weeks of the summer. For Idris' sake, I'll give him a chance.

I cross my arms over my chest, digging my nails into my skin. I turn to Roman and ask, "You'll still be around, right?"

Roman glances up at me, furrowing his eyebrows like he thinks I'm talking to someone else. I arch an eyebrow, letting him know that yes, I am talking to him. He clears his throat, holding my gaze.

"Yeah," he says. "I'll be around."

I nod with a jerk of my chin. "See you around, then."

Before Roman can respond, Gareth and Thera come out of the house with their bags. I focus on them, but I feel Roman shift a little closer to me like he's feeling a little more comfortable. Like he thinks we're on track to maybe be friends again. I hope he can't read the same signs in me. But one look at Everett tells me that they're obvious signs. I give him a pointed look and shake my head. He nods, not doing much to mask the amusement in his eyes.

Once Briar's parents join us, Gareth looks around the circle, his eyes settling on his dad. He doesn't hesitate to step forward and hug Everett. "Thank you for having us this summer."

Everett hugs him back. "Thank you for coming."

When Gareth pulls away, Thera takes his place. "We'll be sure to visit more often when we have the chance."

Everett laughs softly, holding his arms out to Briar when Thera steps away. "You mean after Briar gets off tour?"

Briar matches his smile, letting her grandfather envelop her in his arms. "We'll see if I even get a part."

Everett kisses the top of her head. "You will." He looks over Briar's head at Idris. "And you come by anytime." His eyes flicker to Roman. "You, too, Roman. Let me know if you boys need anything."

Idris nods. "We will." Once Briar steps away from Everett, Idris takes her place. "Thank you for letting me stay."

Everett nods. "Of course, Idris."

Idris returns to Briar's side, taking her hand. For a moment, we take each other in. At the beginning of the summer, I don't know if Gareth would have even met Everett's eyes, but they do now. So do Briar and Everett. And Roman and Idris. And even me and Roman.

There's a last round of goodbyes before everyone has to get going. Everett makes me turn away, so I can't watch Briar and Idris have their goodbye, but I manage to catch at least one kiss and a tight hug. After that, Everett and I wave everyone off as they drive down the street and turn the corner. The moment they're out of sight, I drop my hand and stare out at the quiet neighborhood.

The leaves rustle above us and the sun warms our skin. But all I hear is the memory of Briar's voice and the warm feeling I always get when I see Idris smile. I'm sure I'll see both of them again at some point, but getting to know them this summer is something I don't think I'll forget.

I turn to Everett. He stares up at the cloudless sky, his eyes glowing amber. I put a hand on his shoulder. "You okay?"

He nods, turning to smile at me. "I'm okay." He looks up at the sky again, adding, "Everything will be okay."

And I have no doubt in my mind that everything will be.