Page 43 of That Emerald Vow

We clean up, not saying a word, just being in the moment—enjoying the high of what we just did.

As we walk back to the bike, he pulls me to him in a side hug and kisses my head. “You’re perfect, gem.”

My eyes tear up at the statement after being told for years how imperfect and what a waste of air I was. “Thank you.”

Without thinking, we interlace our hands the rest of the way to the parking lot. “Come on, we have dinner to get to. I already made a reservation at one of your favorite places.” This makes a smile form on my lips. “Even if I won, you weren’t gonna pay for shit tonight. You deserve to be wined and dined. Come on, beautiful.” He lets go of my hand to hand me my helmet.

“Wait.” I lean over and place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?” He seems confused. I don’t think he realizes how great he is at taking care of others, which makes me wonder who’s taking care of him.

“For being my safe place. For keeping your vow from that first night. I’m scared, Day. But this is something I want to explore . . . slowly. So I’m sorry for it . . . for me being chaotic.”

His bright smile graces his face, the smile only I get to see. “In chaos we reign, baby.”

“In chaos we reign,” I say, smiling back at him.Maybe I’m wrong.Maybe he is already reigning over my heart.

Climbing onto the back of his bike, I nuzzle into his back tighter than I ever have before—excited for where this can go.

“He’ll never love you. Not in a real way.”I let the breeze of the ride blow away the memory from my past. Damon is notthem.And I’ll have to relearn how to let myself open up to others emotionally—tohim. Day.

Charlie and I have been hanging out multiple times a week. We can’t get enough time together, but nothing has truly changed. We haven’t had any moments like the one at the go-kart place since then. I’m holding strong though. Every time we hang out, I fall even more for her energetic personality.

Pulling away from her that night took a level of self-restraint I didn’t know I possessed, but after looking into her fear-filled eyes, I knew I would do anything for her, even if it made my heart ache. It gives me resolve to wait—knowing that she’s worth waiting for and that I will earn her trust, no matter how long it takes.

I decide to surprise her at her place with some Thai takeout. Getting to her front door, I ring the doorbell.

“Who is it?” I hear her bellow from the other side.

Grinning, I reply, “Your favorite nightmare.”

She immediately opens the door with furrowed eyebrows and a fake annoyed look. “Nightmare sounds accurate. I don’t know what I did to deserve him knocking on my door.”

I pull up my hand, full of takeout, and her eyes light up. “And just like that, you go from a nightmare to a dream. Come on in.”

I follow her to the kitchen and start getting the table ready to eat, already knowing where everything is. Before sitting down, I realize thereis a dry-cleaned dress draped over the seat. “This is pretty,” I say, holding the lilac dress.

Charlie looks a bit on edge. “Yeah. It’s for this weekend.”

My heart sinks while my body simultaneously heats in anger.Is she going on a date?“Oh, yeah? What are you doing? Clearly something special.” The thought of her sharing any of her free time being intimate with another man makes me clench and release my left hand a few times to release the tension. Thankfully, it’s hidden, so she can’t see.

She takes the dress from me—a darkness washing over her. “I’m heading out of town,” she whispers. There’s a pained tone lacing her voice, putting me on high alert.

“What’s wrong?” My anger changes instantly to concern.

“My parents’ wedding anniversary is this weekend, and I have to go.” She doesn’t seem very happy about that, which I don’t blame her for. I want to throttle her mother for everything she put Charlie through, let alone not believing her when she needed her protection. We both got the shit end of the stick when it came to parents.

My hand is fisted so tightly, my short nails bite into my flesh. “You don’t have to do anything,” I say, harsher than I should.

“But I do. I know it seems stupid from afar. But there’s a level of commitment I still feel towards them, even if they don’t deserve it.”

“I can come with you,” I offer before I even fully form the thought, not wanting her to have to face this alone anymore.

She gasps as her eyes go wide. “What? You’d really do that?” I can tell she appreciates the gesture as the thought makes her shoulders drop in relief, even if she’s shocked.

“I hope one day you realize I’d do just about anything for you. Let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.” I try to smile at her, but I’m sure it’s not reaching my eyes. I mean every word though.

She starts to pick an invisible piece of lint off of the dress as she pausesto consider my offer. “I appreciate it, but it’s not necessary. I’ll be there for at least a night, and it’s not wor—”

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