“No.” My eyebrows knit. “I was just going to finish decorating. There are a few pictures I want to hang in the hallway upstairs, but that’s all.”
Saying it out loud makes me realize how much I’ve truly moved myself in. No wonder he seems bothered all of a sudden.
“So no plans?”
I shake my head.
“Well, you do now. Tempe is going to come over and watch Charlie for a little bit. Go get changed.”
“Changed?” I look down at my dirty jeans and T-shirt. “Where are we going?”
“You'll see.”
16
Soul
Emery’s face pales asI open the door, and she steps out of the truck.
“A wedding chapel?" The words are nearly a whisper.
She wets her lips, scanning the white brick building before us.
Maybe I’m being a little dramatic or should have warned her where we were going. But ever since she said this is all temporary, I haven't been able to quiet the beast clawing at the inside of my ribs.
My brain is incapable of processing what she said about leaving once Zane is dealt with. Like she thinks I’ll let her. Like she thinks I’ll let my daughter live anywhere other than under my roof now that I’m in her life. Like I haven’t been searching for her for the last ten months after she disappeared from my bed.
Emery can try and push me away, but I’m digging my heels in. If this is what it takes to make my point, then so be it.
“Who’s getting married?” Her nose scrunches as her gaze falls to her dress. “If I’d have known we were attending a wedding, I would have worn something fancier.”
“What you’re wearing is perfect.”
"It's a sundress." Her eyebrow hitches. "Atangerinesundress. You told me to wear something cute. You should have clarified that it also needed to befancy.”
I snag her hand, pulling her closer. A strand of hair breezes over her cheek, so I reach up and tuck it behind her ear. It takes all my restraint to not kiss her perfect, puffy lips. To not brush my fingers over her beautiful freckles.
“Your dress is perfect, Emery. You don't need to be anything other than exactly who you are.” My words have her cheeks brightening, and it’s stunning. “As for who’s getting married—”
I drop to one knee on the cement, not thinking about the pain until it shoots through my leg. Emery’s eyes widen, and she tries to pull me up. I don’t budge, but it’s adorable that she tries.
“What are you doing, Hayes?” she whisper-yells, like that will stop anyone from noticing on a busy street in downtown Vegas.
“What's your middle name?” I ask instead of answering her.
“The fact that you don't know the answer to that question is proof you should not be on one knee right now.”
“Middle name, Emery,” I say again, firmer this time, and her cheeks turn rosy.
“Charlotte.” She nibbles her lower lip, and I realize that she named our daughter after her. “It was my mother's name.”
“It's a beautiful name.” I kiss the back of her hand.
She shivers the moment my lips brush her skin, and I love that I still have that effect on her. It’s been months, and I never once forgot how soft she is. How gentle. How perfect. All the time in the world couldn’t erase the effect she has on me.
Emery is the exact opposite of everything else in my life. I'm bullets and blades, while Emery is everything soft and sweet. I’m reckless, and she’s peace. I’m only half of myself without her.
“Emery Charlotte Zane.” My grin finally draws out her smile. “We do a lot of shit backward… fuck, I probably shouldn’t cuss for this.”
