Page 117 of Take It Offline

“Was it yours?” I hold it out to him.

He nods, his expression solemn, and takes it. “I didn’t keep much from the years before Reese. I never wanted to have more than I could take with me or less than I was willing to lose.”

He shakes himself out of his melancholy and dips in for a kiss.

“Since your birthday is coming up,” he says, holding the toy out to me again, “let me be the first to give you your present.”

My heart lodges itself in my throat. “I can’t take this. It’s yours.”

He presses it into my hands. “Yes, and I want to give it to you.”

“Charlie…” That’s all I manage against the rising swell in my chest.

“Emma,” he commands, playfulness dancing in his eyes. His tone is deep and so damn sexy it makes my body flush. “Let me give you the damn toy.”

There are a few things I’m certain of. Cold pizza tastes amazing. There’s nothing sexier than a man rolling up his cuffs. And Charlie is secretly the most thoughtful man I’ve ever met.

I nod and try not to be completely infatuated by him. I do a poor job.

How is it that this four-dollar piece of plastic has my stomach fluttering? No one’s ever given me a memento like this before. Small and ridiculous as it may be, it fills me with an explosion of glee I haven’t felt in… maybe ever.

Oh, if only eight-year-old Emma could see me now.

“Thank you,” I say. “Is there something I can get you?”

His gaze is unwavering, blue eyes warm and full of affection. “I’ve got everything I need right now.”

I’ve often wondered how my father—a gentle, quiet giant—came from my Nana. What she lacked in stature, she made up for with an enormity of presence. A direct opposite to my dad.

I inherited his height, and though I didn’t get much time with her, he’s assured me that I have her spirit. Growing up, it always sounded like a pretty lie, the kind parents start out telling their kids. Who we are by way of who we resemble.

I’ve never outright questioned it. To be honest, I’m flattered. Even if it isn’t true, it gives me a goal to aspire to. I’ve been attempting to emulate her ever since.

But maybe her watch isn’t all I have of her.

I couldn’t see it before, but the way Charlie looks at me, as though maybe I, too, have the power to shift the universe, makes me want to believe.

CHAPTER 39

IF YOU’RE THE FOREST, I’M THE TREES

EMMA

When I said I’d be happy doing anything, this was not what I pictured. But here we are, sitting on the hood of his classic car, at a park on the hill like a couple of wayward teens while the streetlamps cast a yellow glow across Charlie’s cheekbones.

The heat of him holds the chill of the night at bay, and I sink deeper into his arms. With every inhale, I drink more of him in, letting his warm, wild scent envelop me. If he asked me again to run away together, I’d say yes.

If he asked me to stay with him forever, I wouldn’t even hesitate.

It’s like no other birthday I’ve ever had.

It’s perfect.

I’m feeling so good that I answer my cell without checking the caller ID. At the sound of Harvey’s voice, my smile disappears. He wouldn’t call me this late on a weeknight unless there was an issue.

“Evening, Emma. My apologies for calling at this hour, but it’s important we meet to discuss your parents. There’s been a development.”

My blood runs cold. No, no, no. Not again. They promised.

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