Page 120 of Amnesty

“I’m sorry,” I finally said.

His fork froze partway to his mouth. His gaze slid over. “For what?”

“For putting you in the middle. For making you feel you have to choose between me and Sadie. You don’t, you know. I would never ask you to not see her. To not care.”

A loud clattering sound filled the silence when he dropped the fork. His entire body rotated toward me, his knees bumping the side of my leg. “You didn’t put me in the middle,” he said, firm.

“But you feel like you have to choose.”

He pressed his lips together. “Yeah, maybe.”

My heart sank a little.

“But really, there is no choice. I think that’s what makes me feel the worst.”

I glanced up. He met and held my stare with his own. Love shone in the depths of his blue eyes. “Remember what I told you, Am. I choose you. Always. No matter what.”

Moisture prickled the backs of my eyes. He was everything to me. Eddie had given me so much. “I love you,” I whispered.

“Ditto.” He twisted his lips in a smile.

I laughed.

“I’ll come with you!” I said, realization dawning.

“What?”

“I’ll come help look for Sadie. Then you can be with meandlook for her.”

His face darkened. “No.”

“But why?”

“I am not exposing you to any more shit that could traumatize you. Jesus, Am. You’ve been through enough.”

“I’m stronger than you think.”

“Oh, I’m well aware. It’s your strength that scares me, baby. But even the strong can become weak.”

I frowned, not quite sure what he meant. Was my strength a good thing or a bad thing?

“You’ve been strong a long time. All by yourself. You don’t have to do it alone anymore. Let me protect you.”

Maybe I should have fought him, but I was too weary to try. Truth was I wanted his protection. I craved it.

“How about we stay at my place tonight?” he suggested, pushing back from the table.

“How about we stay there from now on?”

He stilled. “What?”

I stood, taking his hand. “Is that invite to move in with you still good?”

Eddie’s eyes flared. “Of course.”

I smiled. “Good, then I’d like to come home.”

He swept me up and spun me around. I giggled. When his feet stilled, he let my body slide down his. Our faces became parallel, my feet still hovering over the floor.

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