Page 72 of Firefly Effect

She smiles and looks down at her shirt. “What does it say?”

“Psi Chi. It’s a student honors society I joined at Duke for psychology.”

“Sounds prestigious.”

I chuckle. “I’d say it is.”

She smiles. “And here I thought it was a fraternity or something.”

I slide my fingers up her bare leg and shake my head. “No, that wasn’t my thing. I was very much buried between the pages of an academic book most of my school tenure.”

She runs her fingers through my hair. “Nerds are so hot.”

“And what makes me a nerd? Appreciating human minds and behavior?” My fingers draw circles on her skin.

“I love the way your brain works.” Her cheeks flush with her sweet words. “The way you can explain things and completely change the way I’ve perceived things my entire life. You see the world in a multitude of angles, shapes, and colors.” She shrugs. “It’s smart, but it’s more than that. It’s empathetic, optimistic, and eye-opening. It brings peace and understanding to complicated, difficult things.”

She searches my eyes, and I can’t help but notice her nervous quiver. “You make me believe there’s more for me out there than what exists in this small town.”

A force squeezes my throat so powerfully that I’m not sure I can speak. I slip my hand out from under the shirt and cup the back of her neck while trying to find the right words. There’s never been a woman in my life who could put my emotions in a vise the way Evie has. Not even I can comprehend what’s happening to my heart. All I want to do is rip it out of my chest and give it to her, silver platter and all. I’m hers.

Still unable to speak, I pull her to me, meeting her with a kiss. It’s not demanding, not lustful or filled with desire. It’s love. Pure love.

She pulls back slowly, her eyes fluttering open then widening with a mixture of happiness and confusion. “Wow. What was that for?”

I close my eyes, resting my forehead to hers. “There’s always been something about you, Evelyn Vaughn. Something I couldn’t ever explain.” I open my eyes, pinning her with my gaze. “You love my brain? Well, I love your heart.” I swallow and slide my hand down to her chest. “I love your appreciation for the simplest things and your resilience even when life has dealt you some really shitty cards.”

I bite down on the inside of my bottom lip, debating whether to say what’s really on my mind, but I’ve already come this far. “I love the way you treat my family and the way you give without ever expecting to receive. I love the way you light up when Lucy runs to you or hands you a sunflower. I just… love you, Evie. It’s like I’ve been looking for you my whole damn life, and now that you’re here, all I want to do is keep you. Tell me I can keep you.”

Evie’s eyes fill with tears before she closes them and crushes her mouth to mine. She repositions herself on my lap so she’s straddling me, her hands moving to each side of my face as she gives me all of herself.

Finally, she pulls away just enough to whisper against my lips, “I love you too. I’m yours, Lincoln. All yours.”

A whoosh of breath escapes my lungs. I’m a firefly who’s been starved of air for too damn long. My wings take me high into the sky, but it was Evie who set me free.

“I think you should stay here.” My eyes search hers. “For good.” When panic widens her eyes, I hurry to explain. “I know it sounds crazy and it’s a big ask for all of us, but I still don’t feel comfortable with you staying above the bar, especially when there’s a murderer out there.”

“There’s been a murderer out there for fourteen years, Linc.”

“But he’s closer now. He’s been in your fucking bar, Evie. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go back to living there.”

She cocks her head. “It’s not your choice.”

Squeezing my eyes closed, I try to take a normal breath, but it’s impossible. “Evie, please don’t be stubborn about this. You’ll be safe here. With me. With us.”

She wraps me in a hug and squeezes tight. “I have no doubt about that, but it’s not right. Lucy wouldn’t understand.”

I frown, not wanting to admit that she’s making sense. “Lucy adores you, Evie. She’d love to have you here permanently.”

Sighing, Evie pulls back slightly and smiles. “I’ve already called to have the cameras fixed. If Patrick really is handing the bar over to me, then I need to take these matters into my own hands. And I’m adding alarms to all the windows too. I’ll get better at using the system.” Her resolute gaze bores into mine. “I’ve got this. I’ll be fine.”

Groaning, I bury my head in her chest. “I know. The problem is that I’m not.” I look up, meeting her blue eyes. “I’m going to be a nervous wreck when you’re not under this roof.”

She ruffles my hair. “You’ve lived without me for the past thirty-one years. I think you can handle a few more.”

I reel back in shock. “A few more years? Fuck that. I’m not waiting that long to make you my wife.”

Her cheeks pinken, and laughter floats from her throat. “Lincoln, you’re crazy.”

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