Page 67 of Chasing Hope

“Well, in the hopes that I don’t overstep…”Again, is what I don’t say, while I head for my desk once more.

Evie clicks her tongue behind me. “More surprises?”

“I seem to be full of them today,” I say dryly. Clutching the paperwork I printed out, I walk back, steeling myself as I slide it her way, hoping and praying that she doesn’t mentally retreat. “The dispatcher academy is starting their new batch of recruits in a week. The applications are still open.”

Her blue eyes widen, the worries the camera brought on earlier forgotten as she takes the papers from my grasp and tries to read them by candlelight.

“Maybe while I’m at training tomorrow you can fill it out,” I gently suggest, not wanting her to feel pressured.

I hold my breath. Clasping my hands in my lap, I twiddle with my fingers, trying to stop myself from snatching the papers back and apologizing for overstepping.

But this time, Evie breathes out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. My god, I feel like I keep saying thank you, but truly, Valenti, thank you.” Before I know what’s happening, her arms are wrapped around my neck and her head is burrowing into my nape. “Thank you for helping pick up the pieces of my life.”

Blinking down at her, my heart is a jackhammer, pounding, pounding,pounding. I don’t realize I stopped breathing until my lungs start screaming for air.

I slowly wrap my arms around her body, mine melting into her touch, her smell, the feel of her pressed against me.

It’s the most natural thing in the world.

And I never want to let go.

“It’s nothing,” I say roughly.

“It’s not. I don’t know what I would have done without you…so thank you.”

“Anytime.”

Anything for you, my Dove, I want to confess.

Chapter 24

Matteo

ELLINGTON

*image attachment*

MATTEO

living up to your reputation I see

also, is that a fucking cat in the background?

ELLINGTON

it’s like a Where’s Waldo? photo. there’s actually five

MATTEO

five cats???

what the fuck were you doing with four girls and five cats

ELLINGTON

the cats flock to me

like the Greek women ;)