Santino’s arms wrap around me so tightly that for a moment I can’t breathe, but I don’t care. I sink into him, my cheek pressed against the warm plane of his chest.

I don’t even realize I am shaking until I feel it, his shoulders trembling too. When I try to pull back a little, just to look at him, I discover that his grip doesn’t loosen. His arms stay locked around me like he is afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go.

That alone makes my throat pinch with more tears.

He finally ...