That’s the only test. It was always the only test.”
Tyler was quiet for a long time.
Then he said, “The next one’s going to have to get past you first, huh.”
“The next one,” I said, “is going to have to get past both of us. Because you’re going to be a lot harder to fool now, and that’s the one gift that garbage human accidentally gave you. You’ll never hand your heart over quite so fast again. That’s sad. It’s also going to keep you safe.”
“I don’t want to be someone who can’t trust people.”
“You won’t be,” I promised. “You’ll be someone who trusts people who earn it. That’s not the same as being closed. That’s just being nineteen turning into being wise. It costs something. But it’s not the same as losing your heart. Your heart’s fine. I checked. It’s the best one I know.”
