“As the crowds grew thicker, Matthew reached up for Declan's hand.

It was just like that. There was Aurora on one side, Declan on the other, and Matthew could have chosen either, but he held up his hand for Declan instead. He did not question that Declan would want to keep him secure; he just assumed that he would.

Declan looked down at Matthew. Matthew smiled up.

At that moment Declan understood that Matthew was unlike any of the other Lynches. The rest of Declan's family members were knotted with secrets, memories, lives experienced behind masks. Matthew might have been a dream, but nothing about him was pretend. Matthew was the truth.

Declan took his hand and held it tightly.”