Page 38 of That Emerald Vow

“You’re a good guy. And she’s clearlymuchbetter than you,” he says, teasing me. “This can be good for you. I think you owe it to yourself to see where this goes.”

Chewing on my bottom lip, I flash through the few memories I do have of her. All I want to do is be around her, and when I’m not, she’s all I can think about. “I think you’re right. I don’t know what will happen.”

“Go. Text her, you dork. I’ll take care of this asshole,” he says, patting me on the shoulder. “Maybe take a shower first.” He scrunches his nose. “You stink!”

I laugh. “‘Cause you smell any better? I don’t know what the hell Lily sees in you.” They have something everyone dreams of having. I could tell even when we were younger that they were end game.Maybe that will be Charlie and me.That thought scares me.

“The same thing you think Charlie will see in you, man.” He chuckles.

I wipe my hands on the rag as I head towards the door. “See you later.”

“See ya.”

“Fuck! What happened?” I hear Liam scream.

“Have fun for the both of us,” I shout as I exit the compound.

Taking out my phone, I scroll to my text thread with Charlie. I ask her if she wants to go out to eat before setting my phone in the cup holder of my truck to head home.

I knock on Charlie’s door, immediately nervously combing my fingers through my hair. She opens the door soon after, making my breath catch in my throat.

“Hey, little gem,” I say. “You look beautiful.” She really does—even in a simple pair of jeans and tee. I don’t think she could wear anything that would make her look bad.

“Thank you,” she says, smirking at me. “You look all right.”

I grin at her and catch her looking at my cheek. My dimples have been known to be irresistible. “Oh, you know I look hot.”

“Mmm. Maybe.”

I bend over dramatically, offering my hand. “Your chariot awaits. The princess needs her sushi.”

She lets out the cutest giggle before taking my hand. “Yes, yes she does. Let’s go.”

“How was the rest of your night?” I ask.

“Ha. Definitely less eventful,” she says. I open the passenger side door to let her in. “Thanks.”

Closing the door, I quickly make my way to the driver’s side. “Yeah. Can’t really top sharing all your deep, dark secrets.”

“Definitely not.”

“We finished taking down the trafficking ring this morning.” I turn to look at her before I put the truck in drive to pull out.

Her eyes light up. “Tell me more.”

“It’s this man named Liam Harrison. Well, hewasnamed . . .”

“What did he do?” she asks intrigued.

“He was trading women and children to people who were using them for sex, torture, and their own vile games.”

“The people were taken to safety? They are the ones from last night, right?”

“Yeah, some are in safe houses until we can find more permanent options. But those who had family or friends to return to . . . they were reunited.”

“That’s amazing. Lily and I get rid of them, but you guys take down bigger monsters . . .” There’s an awkward pause.

“Yeah. We still have the biggest one yet. We’ll get X together.”

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