Page 41 of Splintered Memories
Her lips wobbled, and she pressed them tightly together.
“Of course she’s not all right,” Emersyn snapped. “Alex Cohen is an abusive asshole and he has no right walking around free like that to taunt victims of his son’s crimes.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I took out my phone and sent my brother Reid a text explaining what happened and where we were. He was part of my security team today, but Lark needed him more right now. I would have addressed him over the earpiece, but the whole team didn’t need to know the details.
A few seconds later, he replied to my text.On my way. Keep an eye on her.
Always,I texted back.
I looked back at the two still holding on to each other inside the tent. “Reid’s on his way,” I said.
Emersyn nodded, and hope flared in Lark’s eyes.
I shoved my phone back in my pocket, letting out a hard breath. “Well, this dayalmostwent off without a hitch.”
Anhourlater,twilightsettled around Center Street and we had Emersyn’s booth all packed up into her SUV.
I grabbed hold of her elbow as she made her way toward the driver’s door. She paused, glancing at my hand before her eyes shot back up to mine.
“Leaving already?” I asked.
She arched a brow. “I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed to stay.”
I hardened my stare. “You are allowed to do whatever you want, Emersyn. I just would appreciate it if you kept your safety in mind.”
Center Street had been cleared of the merchant booths, and the crowd had shifted toward the public park that bordered the river. The lanterns had already been lit, and soon so would the bonfires.
Emersyn looked up at me, a curious glint in her eye. “And is it safe to stay after the sun goes down? Isn’t it more dangerous at night?” She said it more as a challenge than a question.
My lips tucked up into a smile. I leaned toward her. Her warm scent was slightly musky after working outside all day. “Not as long as I’m with you. You’re safe with me.”
She blinked once, and I could’ve sworn there was a dusting of pink on her cheekbones.
“Well,” she said, “what do you want to do?”
“Have you eaten anything today?” I already knew the answer. She opened her mouth like she was going to defend herself, but I raised a hand. “Coffee does not count.”
She frowned, her bottom lip pulling out in a pout.
I laughed at the expression on her face, and tugged on her elbow. “Come on.” I led her toward the park. “The food trucks will be here for a little while longer.”
The town was bustling with life and laughter and people as Emersyn and I walked toward the park. I didn’t enjoy crowds, not after everything I’d been through, but this was my town. This was an event that I’d attended for most of my life. It was nostalgic and comforting and part of me, in a way. As if this town and these people and Emberlight were tattooed on my bones.
I glanced at Emersyn as we stepped into the park, and my heart stopped. The park itself was beautiful as always. Lanterns were strung above in the trees from limb to limb and lamppost to lamppost. Fairy lights were wrapped around the trunks of trees and hung down in streams from the tree branches. The bonfires were lit at the back of the park, flickering against the darkening water of the river. All of that I had seen before.
The most beautiful thing in this park, by far, was her.
Emersyn’s green eyes were wide and sparkling in the twinkling lights as she gazed around us. Her lips parted, her mouth open in awe as she took in everything. For the first time since I met her, true happiness sparked in her expression. There was no mask of indifference or anger; it was only her true self.
Those joy-filled eyes flicked to me, and her full lips pulled up into a broad smile. My breath caught in my chest, and I forgot how to speak.
After a few beats, that smile dimmed as she studied me. I realized that I had stopped right in my tracks.
I shook myself out of the unexpected stupor she’d put me in. I forced a smile and ran a hand through my hair.
I gestured forward and started to walk again. “The food trucks are over by the carnival games.”
She gave me a strange look, but didn’t say anything as she followed.
