I jerk a shoulder and slightly shake my head. “I don’t want his gratitude. I’m a journalist—I’ll never stop fighting to report the truth. I would have done it for anyone.”
Beau meets my eyes, his brown ones warm and steady. He’ll be good for Talia. “I truly believe that, Devyn. I truly do. Text us when you’re home. The roads are slippery.”
“I will.”
I give Talia another hug. It will be strange going back to Portland without her. We’ve been attached at the hip since she left rehab. “Call anytime.”
“I will.” She swallows and buries her face into Beau’s chest.
I leave them like that, holding each other, and step into the elevator.
As much as I’ll miss Beau and Talia, it’s a relief when the city fades in my rearview mirror, but as Portland grows nearer and nearer, my heart grows emptier and emptier until there’s nothing left but the trace of Rick’s touch the day he couldn’t be bothered to say goodbye.