Page 49 of That Emerald Vow

She stares at me for a moment before nodding her head.

“Hey, Char?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m here for you. Let me know whenever you’re ready; I will get us out of here.”

That seems to make her smile. “I’m glad you’re here, Day. It’s gonna make tonight bearable, maybe even nice . . . with you.” I nod. “Sadly, we’ll have to stay to help clean up or else I won’t hear the end of it. And with my mother, it’s easier sometimes to just comply. Especially because I don’t plan to stay the night.”

“Okay, gem. But the offer stands.”

“Thank you.”

The rest of the night is filled with inane small talk with her family and other guests. I never leave her side, and I make sure there’s never a single moment alone with Demetri or her mother. Not that he’s tried; he’s eyed me from far away, seeming to understand I’m protecting her. I almost wish he would try something so I can punch his teeth in. For Charlie’s sake,I’m glad he doesn’t.

The moments alone with her are my favorite part—her showing me more glimpses into the good parts of her childhood, like her favorite hideouts, the etchings on the big tree with her growing heights, and even some baby pictures.

By the end of the party, it seems like everyone had a great time. As planned, we stay behind to help clean up. I take the initiative to divide up the tasks, myself and her uncle dismantling the tables and other decorations. Charlie and Vivy are left to clean up and fill garbage bags, and her father is in charge of supervising the whole thing. He was originally on trash duty, but that lasted as long as it took him to find some whiskey and the hot bartender, who isn’t gone yet. She’s taking a painstakingly long time to clean up. Between myself and Charlie, we respectfully asked her to leave a few times, but her father kept chiming in that she was just doing her job. We gave up and tried to move faster on our duties. In about an hour and a half, we managed to clean up the whole backyard, returning it to its former glory.

“I think I’m going to head out tonight instead,” Charlie says to her mother, not wanting to stay for the inevitable fight brewing between her parents. We both knew we weren’t planning to stay much longer after the party ended, and neither of us drank more alcohol—choosing to stick to water.

“Okay,” her mother says distractedly. She’s looking towards her husband, who’s flirting with the young bartender.

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” I say as I take her hand and kiss the top. This seems to draw her father’s attention as he walks over, leaving the bartender to Demetri’s predatory attention. “You too, James. Again, happy anniversary to both of you.”

“Thanks, young man. Take care of my little girl, will ya?” he says as he kisses Charlie’s forehead.

“Dad!” she scolds, but her body melts into his embrace. “I love youand will see you both soon.”

“Goodnight, Charlotte . . . Thank you, Damon.” Her mother smiles at me, and it seems to be one of her more genuine ones. I think I may have actually won over the Ice Queen, not that I care. Her opinion doesn’t matter to me, because while she puts on a good show, I can see the evil inside. No mother should treat her daughter like she does, no matter how much pain I can see hidden behind the million dollar smile.

Thankfully, Charlie’s uncle is distracted, so she takes my hand and we rush to our cars to avoid any other drama, ready for this part of the night to end.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Charlie squeals as she wraps her arms around my body and squeezes once we get to the cars.

I wrap my own around her frame and squeeze. “You’re welcome. Glad to be of service.”

She pulls away, smiling. “I couldn’t have survived that many hours with them without you.”

“I can now see why. They are definitely a handful.” It was physically draining not pummeling Demetri’s face into a pulp or toying withVivymore. It was so easy to play with her, and I didn’t go as full throttle as I wanted to. But Demetri . . . I want to savor that one.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” she says. “I owe you.”

“You never owe me. That’s why I’m here.” We’re standing by our cars parked next to each other in the driveaway. “I’ll follow you home to—”

She stops midway through opening the door. “You don’t need to—”

“Yes, I do. I need to make sure you’re okay,” I say, cutting her off.

She chews on her bottom lip. “Day, I’ve been thinking about this for a while . . . You’re always making sure everyone else is okay. Who makes sure you’re okay?” Her voice is laced in worry.

“I guess I never really had anyone.”

Her mouth twitches into a smile. “You do now.”

I lean against my door. “Oh, yeah? Who?” I ask, grinning from ear to ear like the idiot I am around her.

“Me. I vow to take care of you like you vowed to take care of me,” she says, looking determined. Such a beautiful and strong woman she is. I know how lucky I am to have found her.

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