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“Of course. I mean, I don’t want anyone to get hurt. And I didn’t know there would be drinking when I texted you. I just wanted to see you.” The words came out faster than I intended, and I realized that I was feeling the little bit of alcohol I imbibed.
“I’m glad you did, regardless of the reasons. I didn’t get a chance to give you your birthday present earlier, but I have it now.” He pulled a small box out of his cupholder and handed it to me. “I was going to drop this by tomorrow morning after my shift, but since you’re here now, you can have it.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything, Jake.” I played with the box a little, too shy to open it. “Thank you. It means a lot.”
“You haven’t even seen it yet, Lilly. You might hate it.”
“It’s from you, dummy. That means I’ll love it.” And I knew that I would, but I still opened the box and gasped when I saw it.
Inside was a silver pendant on a chain with a clasp and a hinge on the side of the pendant. He got me a locket, with something engraved on it. I pulled it from the velvet box and looked at it in the dim light of the cruiser. There were flowers engraved on the front of it, with vines and leaves surrounding them. I knew that they were lilies, even in the little light that the cruiser provided. Caressing the intricate design with my fingers, I knew that I would treasure it forever.
“You should open it.” His words were whispered, and I complied.
Inside was a single picture. One we had taken together a few weeks ago at the sheriff’s barbecue.
“Jake. It’s beautiful.” I could feel the tears pricking my eyes, and I didn’t care. I let them fall, unchecked.
“Hey, don’t cry.” He reached over the console and used his thumb to wipe away an errant tear, his hand cupping my cheek for what felt like an eternity.
Before I knew what I was doing, I leaned over and pressed my lips to his. Instantly, I regretted it, knowing that he was about to push me away.
That he was going to break my heart.
He didn’t.
Instead, a growl rose in his chest. He pulled me over the console completely, deepening our kiss and using his tongue to press against the seam of my lips. I opened them to give him access, and he instantly began caressing my tongue with his. I pushed into the kiss and felt my teeth hit his. Giggling, I pulled back for a second and looked into his eyes, expecting to see passion.
I didn’t. I saw shame and regret. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Margot. I shouldn’t have let that happen.”
I turned away from him so that he couldn’t see the tears that now freely fell down my cheeks.
We didn’t say another word as he drove me home, and when I closed the car door behind me, I left the locket on the seat of his cruiser.
* * *
Present Day
Jake
I don’t want the moment to end. The peace I find with Margot in my arms is too great. There are so many things I want to say to her, that I need to say to her. But all of that can wait. I’m just happy she isn’t hurt any worse than she is.
“Do you remember the night I kissed you?” she whispers against my chest.
“There were lots of nights, too many kisses to remember just one.” I find myself whispering back, while I hold her in my arms.
“The first kiss. On my birthday.”
Of course I remember. I’ll never forget the moment I tasted heaven for the first time.
“Yeah, I remember.” I don’t want to think about that night. The first night I pushed her away.
Before I can say anything else, my phone starts going off in my pocket. I pull it out and curse silently to myself.
“You should go,” she says to me with her eyes closed against the noise. Margot turns away from me before I can touch her. Backing away from the woman who will always hold my heart, I press the green answer button and hold it to my ear.
“Hey. What’s up?” I ask Laura, even though I know it’s opening up a can of worms that I don’t want to open where I’m currently standing.
“Hey, yourself. Are you still at the hospital with her?” Her voice is filled with venom that I have never heard from her before.
