Page 82 of A Forever Love

“Why do you think so?”

“Do you know he changed his university to be closer to Mere because she needed him, and now he dropped a very prestigious internship to move to Cherrywood? He definitely cares about her.”

Something strikes me right below my solar plexus. “What do you mean by ‘she needed him’?”

Keith’s gaze darts to me from the kitten, who’s seated on the counter, her whole attention on the bakery box. For a fleeting moment, I catch a glint of guilt, as if he’s just confessed to something he wasn’t supposed to. But it’s so ephemeral that I could have imagined it, and then he says, “You know Mere can be shy when it comes to strangers.”

I know what Keith mentioned is only a fraction of the truth, but I don’t get the chance to ask him for more details. Merida walks out of her room, carrying a small overnight bag, with Clem by her side.

“All set?” Keith rises from the barstool at the kitchen island.

“See you tomorrow evening, Carter.” Clem waves as she approaches Keith.

I nod, clenching my fists by my sides, when all I want is to hold Mere in my arms and kiss her properly. Instead, I have to stand here like a loser, watching her family take her away. I’ve never felt more powerless. Knowing there’s nothing else I can do but return to my apartment and let Merida go, I step away from the kitchen wall I’ve been leaning against.

However, as if by some divine intervention, an angel in heaven hears my unspoken prayer, and Clem slips her arm through Keith’s. “We could barely fit ourselves and these balloons in the elevator on the way up. Why don’t we take Mere’s bag and these”—she nods toward the balloons—“and Carter can help Mere lock up?” Then she turns to me and explains, “Poppy and Sage had strict instructions for us to buy these before we picked up their sister. Without evidence, they won’t let us inside the house.”

If Merida’s younger sisters were here, I’d have given them each a huge present and worn the title of ‘briber’ as a badge of honor.

As soon as the door clicks shut behind Keith and Clem, there’s a fleeting moment of stillness, and then Merida leaps into my arms. “I’ll miss you.”

“Damn it, mittens. You drive me insane. Do you have any idea how much I hate having to let you go like this? I want to be the one celebrating all your birthdays with you.”

“But you already did.” She looks up at me with her soulful eyes, and I realize she’s right. I celebrated every one of her birthdays until she turned thirteen—not because it was her choice, but because Keith was too preoccupied with missing his first wife.

“Fuck. I’m so sorry, Mere. How could I be so selfish?” I rest my head against hers. “You deserve all the happiness.”

“You made me happy, Carter. You make me happy.”

“Every moment I believe I can’t love you more, and yet, you keep proving me wrong.”

“Say it once more,” she whispers, her smile radiant.

“I love you.” My smile reflects hers. “Now, before your dad starts knocking on the door, tell me, what do you want for your birthday?”

“You.”

I’ve never felt more cherished and prized in my life. “You already have me, mittens.”

Merida loops her arms around my neck, standing on her toes. “Then I want you for forever.”

“You have me, always and forever.”

* * *

The past twenty-four hours have been nothing short of torture. I’ve never missed anyone as intensely as I’ve missed her. Now, standing outside her parents’ home with a bouquet of lilies in one arm and a Cartier box tucked inside my jacket, I feel a zing of excitement coursing through my heart, a blend of the familiar and the unfamiliar. My heart thuds when the door is slowly pulled open, and then it settles back in disappointment at the same speed, realizing it’s not her but her sisters.

“I thought you weren’t allowed to open the door, girls.”

Poppy flashes a gleeful smile, revealing her teeth. “It’s an exception today because it’s Mere’s birthday.”

“Come on in. Everyone’s already inside.” Sage takes my hand and guides me into the living room.

“Hi, Carter, have a seat,” Keith greets me with a pat on the arm, then returns to making drinks at the bar.

I acknowledge him with a nod and a smile before scanning every corner of the room.

“What are you looking for?” Uncle Gavin asks me from his spot on the couch, keeping an eye on Adrianna and Spring as they dress up their dolls.

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