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“What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” His knuckles turn white. “Forget I mentioned it.”
Knowing full well that he won’t go into it further, I decide to change the topic. “Tell me one of your favorite memories.”
For a few seconds, Cain doesn’t speak. I watch him as he drives, focused, but his jaw has tightened, making his side profile appear more pensive.
Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. My childhood sucked, but I still feel that mine, in comparison, was rainbows and sunshine.
I understand why he doesn’t want to talk about it. But he has to remember something fondly.
Times stretches in silence, and then he finally speaks. “I was young, a teen, and things were bad. I needed to get out of the chaos of my life . . .”
I squeeze his hand, telling him I’m here and will listen without words.
“When the noises in my life got too loud, I needed to get away. I had nowhere to go. The house where we lived was a mess, and I couldn’t go to the cottage.” It looks like his hand trembles, but I can’t be sure. “I finally walked out, and I went to this small library in town. That’s when I read Brave New World. I found a tiny nook, tucked away, hidden. The library was really old, like hundreds of years. It was one of those old stone buildings. No one knew I was in there, and for the first time in forever, I found peace. After that, I went back a lot.”
My heart lurches in my chest. His favorite memory is one that doesn’t include anyone else. Just him.
I can feel the tears forming in my eyes. He doesn’t have anyone. I might not speak to my parents, but at least I know that’s by choice. My decision, not theirs.
I squeeze his hand again; I’ll be there for him. I’ll be what he needs.
A sudden realization hits me. I’m falling for this complicated man.
“I’m sorry you never had anyone,” I finally say, and from the corner of his eye, I see him look at me. “But I would very like much to be your someone. If you’d let me.”
He gives me a small smile, then goes back to driving.
We both fall into silence, and then I reach across the dash and turn up the music, changing the mood from heavy back to light.
Soon, we are pulling up to this cute Cape Cod–style house that’s right on the beach and only a short drive from town.
He puts the car into park and then walks me up the front steps. He raises the welcome home mat and finds a key, and then he’s pulling me through the door.
Room by room, we go through the house.
“It’s perfect, and I’m one hundred percent in love with this house. It’s exactly my style and what I’d wish to one day own.”
“Glad you are happy with this space,” he responds with a smirk playing upon his lips.
When we get to the bedroom, we start to unpack our stuff amid glances and touches as we pass each other at the closet door. Everything is so easy with him when we’re both relaxed.
“I have to make some calls, but I’ll find you in a bit.”
“Sounds good.”
I step toward the window and look out at the ocean.
This is the life I want someday. Could this ever be our everyday? If so, I need to know how to keep it. I need to learn more about him to find the key to making him stay.
34
Layla
We walk around Cape May. Past small boutiques and shops, tiny cafés, and outdoor restaurants. Just two ordinary people. Like we are a regular couple on vacation.
That’s because we are.
This isn’t The Elysian. But it could be . . .
Imagine. Together in our personally designed paradise.
Sightseeing around Cape May is everything I needed. As we walk from store to store, I can’t stop smiling. Cain must notice because he’s staring at me, and he looks happy.
“It’s nice to see you like this,” I say to him.
“Like what?” He inches closer to me, his arm reaching out and pulling me to him until his arm wraps around my waist.
I crane my neck up and look into his eyes. “Happy.” The look he gives me is intense; it feels like he is peering into my soul and demanding I give him everything. I would, too. All he would have to do is ask.
I avert my gaze, needing a second to calm my nerves. “You should build this.”
“Build Cape May?” A soft chuckle leaves his mouth.
With a shake of my head, I laugh as well. “No. Build a version of The Elysian on the water. Have it styled like Cape May.”
Cain turns me in his arms until I’m facing him. Finger on my chin, he tilts my head until our gazes meet again. “You really understood the concept of The Elysian, huh?”
