Page 69 of Make You Love Me

“This is crazy… almost like fate. I know you’ve been dying for that connection with your mom and now it looks like you get a chance to learn who she really was,” he says as his hand cups my cheek. I love when he does that. The simple gesture makes me feel so cherished, so wanted and loved.

“I have so many questions. Do you think he’d be up to talking with me?” I ask, excitement now thrumming through me at the possibility of Smith sharing stories about my mom.

“I'm sure he’d love to,” he says with a smile.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I give him a kiss. Silently thanking him for his understanding. This cookout was supposed to be my opportunity to meet his Dad and the rest of his Rebel Knights family and here I am, a mess of emotions. “I love you,” I whisper, as he leans down to give me another kiss.

We walk back to where his father stands, his face still filled with shock. I can tell he’s lost in his memories. Greyson steps into his view. “Why don’t the two of you go sit somewhere and talk? I'm sure you both have a lot of questions for one another. I’ll take care of the rest out here. Are you okay with that, babe?”

I look at Smith, hoping I’ll see the same eagerness to talk that I know is written all over my face.

Smith gives me a smile and then turns to his son. “We’ll be over at the shop. Come find us in a little while.”

“No problem, Pop,” he responds, giving me one last smile then turning to face his family, all of whom are staring at Smith and me.

“Those two—” Smith motions with his chin in the direction of two men who are talking with Greyson. “They knew your mom well. I'm sure they're as stunned as I am.”

We walk across the grounds to a side entrance of the motorcycle shop. I'm in awe of this place. Now I understand why Greyson wants to take it over. It's impressive. This is no run-down shop one would expect when they think of an MC’s place. No, this place is pristine, with a fifties vibe with its black and white tiles along the floor and red trim along the ceiling. There are tin signs and motorcycle collectibles lining the walls and shelves. Several display cases are scattered around the space showcasing what appear to be custom-made bikes. This place looks like it could be in a magazine.

How did I not put this all together from her journals? I literally have every page memorized. I would have picked up on any hints of Smith being a part of an MC. It just doesn’t make any sense. The collection of books I have is not complete, but it's like all traces of him being a part of the Rebel Knights were erased.

“I never knew. I mean, I’ve read about you, but I didn’t know about the MC or all of this. The journals did seem to end abruptly, and some pages were ripped out. The pieces of the puzzle I did have made it obvious how much she cherished you and I always wondered what happened that would end such a love story.”

Smith leads me to a small seating area, where I sit on a black leather couch, and he takes a seat in one of the two matching chairs across from me.

“Our love story never really ended, Lottie. Honestly, I will love her till my last breath, but I know she felt like she was doing the right thing by leaving me.”

He’s quiet for a moment then looks at me with sincerity. “I'm sorry for your loss Lottie, your mother was an amazing woman.”

I hold back my tears. “Thank you, I'm sorry for yours, too. I can tell how much you meant to her and she to you.”

He cups his face in his hands and drags them both down slowly, releasing a loud sigh as they fall. “I can't believe you're here. That Leah had a daughter, and my son is head over heels in love with her.”

“What are the chances?” I ask but not expecting an answer.

“Do you mind me asking why your last name is Richmond and not DeMoine?”

“Well from what I was told, my mom got pregnant with me not long after she started dating a guy at college in NY. Being so young, he wanted nothing to do with the pregnancy or my mom for that matter. Knowing what a blessing it was for her to become pregnant, my mom raised me with the help of my great-grandparents. She hated her own father and clearly wasn’t going to give me that asshole's last name, so she decided on my great-grandparents’ last name, Richmond.”

I see tears form in Smith’s eyes and I reach my hands out to hold onto his. “You’re a miracle, Lottie. She always thought she couldn’t have kids. I'm sorry that sack of shit had no idea how special you truly were, especially to Leah.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice just above a whisper.

“Shit, this is supposed to be a party and here I am crying like a fool. Seeing you brings back so many emotions I thought I had locked away for good. But it really is great to meet you, Lottie. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“I'm so glad I finally got to meet you too. Although, I feel like I've known you for a long time through my mother's words.”

“She was such an amazingly loving person, strong-minded and independent. It destroyed me when she left, but if leaving me gave her you. It was worth it.”

“Do you mind me asking what happened between you two? Her journals just end abruptly and pick up once she’s living in New York and those entries are few and far between.”

Smith’s expression turns solemn. “That’s a conversation for another night, there's too much to dig into.”

“I understand, I was just curious,” I say, a tad disappointed, and I reallydounderstand. Seeing me opened wounds that had since scarred over, possibly even long forgotten. Right now is not the time to dig through all of that.

“I can tell you that from this little time together, you’re just like her. Heart and all.”

That has my eyes welling once again.Geez, I can't keep it together for more than five minutes.

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