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CHAPTER NINETEEN
Itwasanewlow for Chuck.
Nothing had even come close to this.
He sat in his tree house, a place that he and his father had built with their bare hands, years ago, together.
It was so beautiful here, like nowhere else on Earth. Not only was the place packed with memories of the times he used to spend with his parents, but now it was full of Millie, too. There were innocent memories — the two of them reading, cooking, and laughing together. And there were not so innocent memories.
Lots of those memories.
Right now, sitting here, he felt like he was surrounded by ghosts, and they were all fading fast. He knew that soon, when he left this place, he’d leave those ghosts behind, and it felt like preparing for another type of grief.
Just then, there was a gentle knock at the door. Chuck opened it slowly, and standing there was Takis. He had a look of determination on his face, but also some sadness.
“Chuck,” he said grimly.
“Takis.”
“I’m here to apologize.”
Chuck was surprised. “Not march me off the property?”
“No.”
Takis stepped forward and held Chuck’s gaze. He looked like he had been searching for the right words, but didn’t know how to start.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know what it’s like to have powerful feelings. Feelings you can’t ignore.” The two men stood in silence, for a moment, then Takis continued. “I spoke to Bunny. A lot. She’s furious with me.”
“She is?”
“She said that if I can’t see that you and Millie are the perfect couple then I’m not human.”
Takis paused and looked away, then looked back at Chuck. “I was wrong. You two were meant to be together. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Millie and I won’t stand in the way of that.”
“I’m sorry I threw myself at you. I’ve got a lot of… hurt in me.”
“We all do, Chuck. I forgive you. No harm done, anyway.”
“But I’m so ashamed for all that aggression.”
Takis shook his head. “The kind of person who never gets angry is the kind of person who never truly loves.”
Chuck appreciated Takis’ kindness, but he still felt bad for how he’d acted. And resolute that he’d never let his anger get the better of him like that again. “It’s what we do with our anger that counts,” he said.
“Anyway, the point is, I think Millie’s made up her mind.”
Takis sighed, long and hard. “I’m worried about her.”
Chuck nodded. “Yep. I’m terrified. I’ve never seen her like that. So defeated, so distraught.”
“Look, her dad’s calmed down. He’s still a prick, but he’s calmed down. You have history with him—you’ve got to go talk to the guy. If there’s any hope at all of a happy ending to this story, this has to be the way to get there.”
Chuck sighed. “I’m willing to do anything to help Millie find happiness.”
Takis smiled. “She belongs here, Chuck. With you. When I first got together with Bunny, she was working for me. Of course, that was a little different.”
“Was it?” Chuck raised an eyebrow.
