Page 106 of Into the Light

The perfect writing weather.

As I walked toward the kitchen to admire the rain tapping against the glass, I saw the photo of us on our wedding day. We didn’t do anything big, just something small out in the cabin the summer after Ember graduated.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I reminisced about the day that had forever changed the course of my life. It was the day I had persuaded my now wife to join me for what she thought was a regular date, only to surprise her with a heartfelt proposal. I still vividly recalled the amazement on her face as we sat in the restaurant, and I poured my heart out, asking her to be my wife. Her quick and eager agreement filled me with joy, even though I had secretly contemplated marrying her right on the spot. Eventually, we compromised to wait until her graduation the following year.

Our wedding day turned out to be a private affair, attended solely by Pico, Marissa, Walsh, and her dad. My mother declined our invitation. She firmly believed I caused her failed marriage and shattered family. Mr. Ortiz had somehow settled his score with the Cartel, and although I refrained from prying into the details of his actions, my mother remained resentful, blaming me for what she perceived as the ruination of her life.

I took a deep breath. Ember often thought I should be more upset about these circumstances, but she couldn’t fathom that I, too, held my mother accountable for her choices, chiefly her decision to marry Mr. Ortiz and then effectively abandon me and Ash to his perilous fate. After enduring years of therapy, I had learned to come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t change their behavior. Instead, I had learned to coexist with it, establishing the necessary boundaries.

All of a sudden, the ringer went off and she practically ran back into the living room. She looked shocked while she stared at her phone.

“Go on, pick it up,” I encouraged as she clutched the phone in her hand before swiping to answer.

She got up from the vintage couch that she’d thrifted a couple years ago when she dragged me to Dansport’s monthly flea market. There were a few photos, including some from our wedding, hanging up behind us. I bought her a house, but she gave me a home.

“Hello?” I could hear the hesitation in her voice but only because we’d been together for the last four years. She was speaking in a hushed tone, which gave me the perfect opportunity to watch her. The way her long black hair hit the center of her back. Her curves were still fucking utter perfection, and I could literally bend her over the couch right now with how hard she constantly made me.

But the most attractive thing about Ember was her brain and emotional strength. The ability of how she takes everything in stride, so I know that even if this phone call doesn’t have the best of news, she will take it with ease.

“I did?” she squealed. I huffed a breath out because I took back that thought. And while there was little doubt she would get this, I was definitely the realist in our relationship.

“Thank you so much, Sera. I will talk to you soon,” she said before hanging up and throwing the phone on the couch.

“And so?” I asked her.

“I am officially a published author,” she screamed as she ran into my arms. I whipped her around as I pressed a million kisses on her forehead.

“Harper Frank Publishing picked you up?”

“Yes,” she said, completely out of breath, pride beaming brightly from her smile.

“God, I am so fucking proud of you.” I didn’t know how many times I’d said that to her in the past, but I knew it wasn’t the last time because I was always in awe of Ember Fortin.

“I cannot believe that in just a few short months, everyone in the world will have access to my story—to our story.” She laced her fingers in mine as she stepped away from me. “To his story.”

A tear formed in her eye, and I gave her a little twist of my lips. “I never doubted they would.”

The front door busted open, and I grabbed Ember, pulling her behind me.

“Are you expecting anyone?” She shook her head as I made my way to the front of the house.

“And so?” Santiago’s booming voice echoed around the house.

“Jesus Christ, Santi, you scared us,” Ember said, moving in front of me and walking toward him.

“I did it.” Her smile was contagious, even her eyes couldn’t hide the pure joy she was experiencing.

“Yes,” he exclaimed, wrapping her in his arms. “I knew it.”

“I didn’t,” she whispered. I used to be envious of how close they were together, but with what the two of them went through together, they shared a deep bond and he loved her. I just couldn’t help but be possessive over what’s mine.

“I am going to need a signed first edition,” he joked with her before telling us he would head to the city to meet with a “friend.”

“Really?” Ember questioned.

“She’s just a friend, mija.” He laughed as he left, and she just shook her head at him.

She pressed the door close and locked the door before turning toward me. I sensed the change in atmosphere as she languidly walked over to where I was standing.

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