Page 77 of Captivated

A glance at the clock tells me it’s almost nine, a detail that makes sense as Evelyn rests her head on my shoulders and melts into my chest. The little girl has shown up her mother with how beautiful she looks, guests fawning over her all night. And it seems she’s not much of a party animal yet as her breathing becomes heavy and I peer down to see her eyes closed as sleep overtakes her.

“Someone partied too hard,” Cooper comes up beside me, admiring his niece.

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna go lie her down in her crib.” I walk down the hall, ignoring the sounds coming from Kane and Olivia’s room to find Evelyn’s safe haven.

Gently resting her in her crib, I turn on the sound machine to drown out the noise coming from beyond her door and place a soft kiss on her head. One day, I’ll have a child of my own, and I’ll do everything in my power to show him or her that love exists. Because if there is anything I’ve learned this year, it’s that I was wrong. Love is worth it, even though the pain of losing it is worse than any other pain I’ve ever felt in my life.

And as I stare down at the innocent life in the crib, it hits me.

I don’t want to start the next year without Piper in it. She was the best part of my year. Hell, of my life. I know she said she needed time, but time passes too quickly to spend another minute apart. Life is short and hers almost ended.

What the fuck have I been doing? I know I should listen to her, respect her wishes and let her come to me. But I’m tired of fucking waiting around for my life to have meaning again.

She is what I want.

And I want her right now.

I exit the nursery and stomp down the hall, searching for Cooper in the crowd.

“Coop!”

His head turns in my direction. “What’s up?”

“Evelyn is asleep in her crib. I’m fucking leaving.”

“Okay… is everything alright?”

I nod. “It will be. I’m going to New York.”

His eyebrows pop up. “Wow. Okay. Are you sure that’s the right thing to do?”

“Yes. No. I don’t really give a shit right now. All I know is I don’t want to start the new year without Piper in it.”

“Aw, that’s so romantic,” Clara declares as she comes up to us, munching away on a coconut shrimp.

“Well, whatever gets Piper to talk to me.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tonight. I’m gonna go home, pack a bag, and catch the first flight there.”

“Do you even know where she lives?” Clara asks.

“In the Hamptons. But that’s all I know.”

“Hey. I’ll text you the number of my buddy who lives out there. We went to college together and he’s a cop too. He can help you track her down.”

“Thanks, man. Wish me luck.”

“Go get her, Cash!” Clara shouts, and the biggest smile takes over my face at the thought of finally getting to her and seeing her again. Grateful I wasn’t drinking tonight, I’m fully sober and aware of what I’m doing as I race across town, back to my apartment. My body is humming with nerves, electricity flowing through my veins at the idea of touching her, holding her, loving her. Fuck. How am I going to sit still on a five-hour flight across the country in anticipation of kissing her again? Better yet, how is she going to react? Will she be happy to see me? Or will she be pissed?

I really don’t fucking care at this point because all I know is I need to see her either way. I need to know what she’s thinking and feeling. It’s been the longest fucking six weeks of my life and I’m tired of waiting.

As I slam my truck in park, I drop from the cab and run to my doorstep. But the sight in front of me steals my breath away.

Because it seems Piper had the same idea as me.

And she’s holding a box of Cheez Its.

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