Page 225 of Taeja

“I don’t believe you.” Eloise walked toward the bed. She held her pinky out.

Looking at the manicured finger beside the one that sparkled with his ring, Damon rolled his eyes. “You always do this, El. Why can’t my word be good enough?”

“It is, but I like pinky promises because they annoy you.”

The corner of his mouth quirked upward as he linked their fingers. “I’ll bring your mutt to the vet, El,” he said, and she rolled her eyes while tugging her hand away. “Wait, where are you going?”

“The car wash—”

Damon hopped out of bed. “Let me do it. Bring the mutt to the vet.”

Peaches nipped at Damon’s ankles, and Eloise laughed and picked her up. Kissing the dog atop the head, Eloise smiled. “Thanks, babe. I’llsee you later.”

Damon grabbed the key off the nearby hook, winking at her before he left.

The memory faded, andDamon smiled sadly. He had many wonderful memories with Eloise. Even though she got ripped from the world too soon, he was thankful for the time spent with her…

Liza’s car trickled to a stop, and she and Damon exited the vehicle together. They followed the tow truck to the safe area a distance away, quietly watching as workers offloaded it. A mechanical whir drifted throughout the junkyard as the crane powered up, grabbing the car and dropping it into the compressor. Loud metal screeches rang out in his ear while Liza grimaced.

Watching a car get crushed was nothing compared to the call he gotthatday.

Life could be cruel, couldn’t it?

Sometimes it broke people in irreparable ways.

Other times, it rearranged the broken pieces into something new and beautiful.

Straightening his shoulders, Damon turned and walked toward Liza’s car. He reached for the door handle, and Liza grabbed his hand.

“Are you okay?” Liza asked.

He nodded. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“That was the last thing you had of hers.”

“I carried the pain of her death for years, Liza. Watching a car get crushed is nothing. I’ll always love her, but I need to move on.”

Liza nodded. “I understand.”

Damon gave her a weak smile. “Good. Now hop in so we can get gas, then go to the jewelry store.”

The following day, heleft work early again. It was an extra busy day; he didn’t see Taeja despite her being at the office since nine.

He spent an hour in rush hour traffic before he arrived home. Happy and excited to see his girlfriend, he parked and hurried inside. Classical music drifted through the house. He followed it to Zain’s room. Pushing the cracked door open, he smiled.

There she was.

Sitting crossed leg on the floor, her hair in a high bun with a few loose strands sticking out the sides, a pencil tucked behind her ear, and books scattered all around her while her fingers soared across the keyboard.

He cleared his throat, and her head snapped up. Taeja’s creased brow relaxed, and she jumped to her feet. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him.

Damon chuckled as he held her tight. Kissing her temple, he teased, “I didn’t know you missed me that much.”

“I’m happy you’re here early! You can help me study.”

He glanced at the books on the floor. “Let me go shower first.”

“Okay. Thanks, Damon.”

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