Page 25 of Absolution
9
ABIGAIL
“Abby! You’re back!” Franklin hugs me in a quick but warm embrace. My friend has always been respectful of my physical boundaries, and it’s one of the reasons I’m so grateful to have him in my life.
He steps into my shabby little apartment with the ease of familiarity, and I welcome him in with a broad smile. Stacy is right behind him, bottle of red wine in hand.
I’ve only been back in Charleston for a few hours, but my friends have already descended on my apartment to welcome me home. In the warmth of their presence, the lingering chill from my nightmare in York yesterday fades away completely.
“You were gone for ages.” Stacy pouts her berry-painted lips and pulls me into a hug too. “The café isn’t the same without you. Don’t get me wrong,” she says quickly. “I’m not trying to guilt you into coming back. I’m so happy that you’re going to pursue your art fulltime.”
“Do you have an English accent now?” Franklin teases before I can respond. “I bet you sound more like your hot boyfriend than a Carolina girl.”
I scoff. “I was only away for a few weeks.”
Stacy blows out a dreamy sigh. “I wish I could go on vacation to Europe with a sexy man for weeks. You’re living the dream, girl.”
I wave her off, but before I can say something dismissive, Franklin grabs my left hand with a gasp.
“Excuse me, what is thisrockon your ring finger?” He stares at the glittering emerald with open-mouthed shock.
“That’s Abigail’s engagement ring,” Dane rumbles from behind me, emerging from my bedroom with a packed suitcase in one hand.
We only stopped by my old place to grab my clothes. I’ll be all moved out within a few days, and then Dane and I can start to make a home together in his house in Harleston Village.
We haven’t spoken about the powder blue house across the street. I don’t think either of us is keen to revisit the painful day when I found his secret shrine to me.
The momentary darkness of that thought immediately dissipates when his arm drapes over my shoulders, and he drops a kiss on the top of my head. Warmth suffuses my chest, and a happy grin nearly splits my features.
“Oh my god, you’re glowing!” Stacy exclaims, glossy black curls bouncing as she does a little shimmy of excitement on my behalf. “Are you really engaged?”
“We are,” Dane declares, his accented voice deep with pride.
“Dane proposed in York,” I say.
“So romantic,” Franklin gushes. “You have to tell us all about it. When did this happen?”
“Two days ago,” I say, still smiling. “It was deeply romantic and absolutely perfect.”
Dane beams at me. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Could you two be more stunning together?” Franklin enthuses. “Abby, you found your prince!”
I giggle, and my cheeks flush with a touch of embarrassment. I’ve secretly thought of Dane as my dashing prince, but I’ve never told him that.
His long fingers brush over my cheek, testing the warmth of my blush. His sensual lips curve in that cocky smirk that makes my knees weak.
“I’m opening this bottle,” Stacy announces. “We’re celebrating.”
I peek up at Dane. “I don’t know…” I say slowly. “We were going to move my stuff to Dane’s house.”
“Ourhouse,” he corrects me. “And don’t worry about that. Spend time with your friends. I should go to the office and meet with Meadows. He’s texted me five times since we landed. I’ll finish moving your things over the weekend.”
“Perfect,” Franklin says, as though it’s settled. “Then we’re going out for karaoke and dancing.”
Stacy claps her hands. “Yes! A bachelorette party!”
A giddy laugh bubbles from my chest. “I don’t even have a date set yet for the wedding. It’s too soon for a bachelorette party.”
