Page 17 of Vow

She knew; she wanted to know if he would tell her the truth. Whatever they had been was already dominated by lies he told, and the omissions he chose to keep away from her. Had he learned his lesson, or not?

“Had a run in today. Somebody else’s gun got a little too excited about seeing me.”

Haven blinked.

Sure, he left details out. He still told her the basics of the truth that she knew.

She didn’t know what did it—maybe his blasé tone, or the fact that his injury made her hurt for him. It could have simply been that she was there with him after doing her very best to avoid him at all costs, and move the hell on.

Whatever it was that shot through her like a jolt of nostalgia, pain, and … love, too … it sent her forward without any warning. Haven didn’t think about it; she wrapped her arms around Andino’s neck, and found peace the second she was in his arms. It took him less than a second to react, and enclose her in his embrace.

Things were good for a second.

Good for them.

All the bad shit went away, and the pain dissipated. The rest of the world blinked out like it didn’t exist at all, and she could pretend things were fine. She liked it here in his arms; nothing else had to matter. She could lose herself in his warmth, and hard lines. Breathe in his scent like it was the only air she was ever going to need.

Why couldn’t they stay like this?

She wanted that.

Reality was a quick bitch, though. It was always waiting right around the corner to drag Haven back to hell kicking and fucking screaming, regardless of what she wanted. This time, reality came with a squeeze around her heart that hurt like nothing else because … no, they couldn’t stay this way, and she was still the same woman he’d discarded not too long ago.

Andino seemed to sense her sudden shift in thoughts, or maybe it was the way she tensed in his arms. Either way, he loosened his hold enough to allow Haven to step just far enough out of his arms’ reach. The distance gave her some clarity, but it wasn’t very much. Not nearly enough.

“That looks like it hurts,” she said, gesturing to his injury.

It was the only thing she could think to say.

“The Vicodin with whiskey chaser is starting to kick in, actually,” Andino muttered, glancing down at his arm. “Small fucking miracles.”

Haven laughed, but it came out strained, and probably a little too bitter. She couldn’t even control the rush of emotions that swept over her, never mind the anger that was still ever-present no matter what her stupid heart wanted.

She couldn’t escape this feeling.

She didn’t want to feel like this at all.

“Why are you here?” Andino asked.

She looked back at him, and shook her head. “I heard what happened.”

“I’m fine.”

Clearly.

He just completely missed the point.

Her anger swelled again. “You don’t get it, do you?”

“Get what?”

“That I give a shit about you, I guess? I actually care, Andino. I wanted to make sure you were okay, but since the hospital said you voluntarily checked yourself out, that wasn’t good enough for me. I had to know. So, here I am. I don’t know. It’s pointless, right? I shouldn’t be here anyway.”

Haven was glad she voiced that thought—she shouldn’t be here. It wasn’t a matter of wanting to be, but a matter of what was best for her. Of course, she wanted to be here. That didn’t mean it was good for her.

Before she could overthink anymore than she already was, Haven turned to leave with a quiet, “Sorry, Andino. I’m glad you’re okay.”

She didn’t even get the chance to grab the doorknob. She didn’t see him coming for her until his hand was locked around her arm, and he’d spun her back around fast enough to make the room spin in her vision. Her gaze cleared in just enough time to see the emotion darkening his features before he closed all distance between them, and kissed her.