Page 59 of Dare to Need

“This was a tough one,” he finally said. “The trial we just went through felt like it was going to last forever. I felt lost inside the person I used to be and it was so hard to grasp hold of the person I wanted to become. But you helped me do it, Eva. You reminded me of whatIfind important in this life. I almost lost sight of that because I was lost in the weeds of fear. And you brought me back.

“I want you to know that I am so incredibly thankful that you lit the lantern that illuminated the path I needed to follow.”

His words felt like the final page of a painful chapter—one I never wanted to read again because I knew how alluring the angst of almost losing someone could be. Maybe not in the sense of death’s finality, but I’d spent the last few weeks petrified that I was going to lose Garth.

Now that I was back in his arms, our hearts lurching toward a new beginning, I could finally breathe.

“I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if it meant getting to this exact moment with you.”

His palm closed over the space just above my left breast. “I’d rather not go through that ever again.” A strained laugh left his lips. One of relief with a hint of recognition that it could have been so much worse.

I smiled against his chest. “Deal.”

We should have fallen asleep, but there was something intoxicating about the way he trailed his fingertips along my back as I did the same to the space just below his chest. Running my fingers along the ridges of his upper abdomen and across the space between his pecs where a dusting of hair tickled my skin, I memorized every peak and valley. Never wanting to forget what he felt like.

Just as my eyelids drooped and the hint of sleep started to welcome me, Garth asked, “What’s your biggest dream?”

The question stirred my senses, awakening not only my body but my spirit. He surprised me, not that I should have been surprised, he was always the curious one wanting to know all the inner workings of my mind. It pushed me to understand myself and my needs more. I was still learning to let go of what other people wanted for me, or what society expected from me so that I could come into myself fully—without apology.

As I started to ponder the question he’d asked, I noticed that it was a question I hadn’t asked myself in a long time. Sure, I had a plan to move to New York City and complete an internship with a renowned wedding photographer. But those things weren’t my dreams, they were simply stepping stones toward a brighter future.

“I dream of a time when my days are spent capturing love through the lens of my camera. It doesn’t even have to be for weddings or engagements. I want to capture all types of love: young, old, friendships, lovers, father-son. Every type of love you could imagine, I want to bear witness to it and freeze those precious moments in time and find a way to spread the joy of it on a mass scale.

“This world can feel like a scary and lonely place for so many people. If I can bring them hope and peace of mind that there is somethinggoodto hold onto, then I will spend my life doing something worthy of this existence.” I spoke more to myself than Garth as I peeled back the layers of my hopes for the future.

I laid my forehead against his chest and closed my eyes. “I have no idea how I will get there, but I know I eventually will.”

“I think that’s a dream worthy of the one dreaming it.”

A sleepy smile played on my lips. “What about you?”

The rise and fall of his chest pulled me closer to sleep, but I forced my eyes open.

“It’s funny. I always thought I just wanted to create and share my pieces with the world—with whoever was willing to see them. But now, my eyes have opened to a host of new possibilities. I really like the idea of opening my own gallery, not only so I can display my art, but so I can provide a safe space for the new generation of artists.”

The bed vibrated with the warm laugh that left him.

“What’s so funny?”

He kissed the top of my head and adjusted his arms so that he was holding me even closer to his body.

“I was just thinking how the two most logical and non-creative people I know were the ones to help me see all that I can do with the gifts that have been given to me. I’ve always wanted to find a special cause to invest my trust fund money in. The answer seems so simple now, but it was never something I thought of before on my own.”

“I think life has a way of showing us exactly what we need to be shown when we are ready to see it. Maybe this dream of opening your own studio wasn’t something you were ready for until now. And Lucas and Garrett were the catalysts to set the spark on fire.”

“I think you might be right, beautiful.” He tucked his pointer finger under my chin, lifting my face to his.

“Haven’t you realized that I’m always right?” I raised my brow, teasingly.

His grip on my chin tightened as he lowered his lips and planted a featherlight kiss on mine that was so heartbreakingly tender, it brought tears to my eyes.

“As long as I get to kiss you every day for the rest of my life, then yes, I will claim that you arealwaysright.”

“I think I’d like that very much,” I whispered.

“Good.” He let my chin go and tucked me against him once more. “It’s settled then.”

Another unspoken promise settled between us. One that I’d been secretly hoping for since the first time I laid eyes on him. The promise that our love was more than a temporary moment in time. It was a forever love.

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