Page 119 of Imperfect Arrangement
“Are…are we really not going to talk about…the future?”
He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t even blink. If anything, it’s like he was expecting me to ask. “Today was a good day, Willow.” His voice is calm, steady, but beneath those measured words, there’s something else—something unspoken, something heavier. “We built an incredible thing together. Do you really want to spend tonight talking about anything else?”
“Wouldn’t it be stupid if we didn’t? Turning a blind eye to reality doesn’t change it.”
Finally, a slight tic in his jaw while his eyes remain locked on mine. “Our reality, our future, changes every day, Firefly. The choices we make now shape what’s ahead.” He steps closer, his presence as equally comforting as it is overwhelming. “You and I, we can make another choice?—”
“Don’t. Please, don’t say it.” My voice cracks. “I can’t, Ray. I can’t pretend I don’t know how this ends.”
Because I do. I’ve always known. During every moment I spent with him and Quill, I told myself it was okay to be happy because we had an expiration date. But now, if I let myself believe this could be something more, if I act like I can love him the way I already do, I won’t be able to collect the pieces of my broken heart when he leaves.
And he will leave.
Raymond might fight for what he loves. He might move mountains for the people he cares about. But at some point, he will realize he deserves more than someone who is too scared to reach for him the same way he does.
“I just want to end this on a good note,” I manage. “Ineedto remember this as something good.”
“You think this is an ending, Willow?” His thumb brushes over my jaw, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. “That’s your first mistake.” His words settle deep in my chest, an ache I don’t know how to hold. When he leans in and presses the softest kiss to my forehead, I almost break.
“Ray, please?—”
“Shh. There’s something I want to show you. Come with me.” His warm fingers wrap around mine as he leads me down the quiet hallway and finally stops in front of a door. My breath catches as I read the golden plaque: Willow Pershing.
“You did this?” I turn to him because I knew this room was supposed to be my office, but nobody said anything about making it this official.
He gives a tiny nod before pressing a key card to the panel. The soft beep echoes in the silence. Raymond steps inside first, then turns, waiting for me. The last time I was in this room, it was nothing but four walls, as the furniture was still to be delivered.
Now, I feel like I’ve walked into a dream. The space is decorated in a feminine blend of modern and soft, tailored to me in every way. A sleek mahogany desk sits near the window, along with a comfortable chair tucked neatly behind it. There’s a sitting nook by the fireplace that catches my eye, complete with a light yellow couch and a knitted throw casually draped over it.
My feet carry me toward the fireplace, where the mantel is filled with framed photos. I reach out and my fingers brush the edges of the first frame—a picture of Gramps and me by the stream where his memorial bench now sits. The next photo is of Mom, Nana, and me, taken during one of our small, imperfect, and crazy Christmases. There’s one of me and my friends that was taken during Daisy’s baby shower.
How did he even get his hands on these pictures?
I blink rapidly when my gaze lands on a candid shot I don’t even remember being part of. Quill and I, dressed in matching blue pajamas while sitting on the grass with Captain Lick sprawled between us, his tongue lolling in bliss. My chest tightens at the sight of pure happiness on our faces. Then there’s the last photo—Raymond, Quill, and me on her birthday. I swallow hard, a tidal wave of emotions crashing over me.
You know you can never find a man more perfect than him.
As if he’s determined to prove my inner voice correct, Raymond steps behind the desk and opens one of the drawers. When he turns back, he’s holding a small square gift box wrapped in silver paper.
“Quill and I had something made for you and I have very clear instructions that you need to see it tonight.”
Oh, my bug.
Raymond leads me to the couch and flicks a switch, bringing the electric fireplace to life and filling the space with a soft glow. “Open it.”
I hesitate. My hands tremble as I reach for the box. “I’m scared.”
“What are you afraid of? It’s definitely not an engagement ring, since I already gave you that.”
“That’s so not funny!” But my fingers automatically drift to the beautiful green sapphire ring on my hand, the one I wear for all public appearances.
“Okay, no jokes. It’s not jewelry. Does that help?”
I narrow my eyes at him but tear at the wrapping paper anyway.
“This was all Quill’s idea, so I can’t take any credit.”
My breath catches as I stare at the miniature version of Cherrywood’s Ferris wheel in my hands. Even the cabins are painted to match the recent renovations. Raymond leans forward, pointing to a small lever on the side.
