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With Elena by our side.
Standing here, holding the two of them in my arms…I’ve never felt surer.
Elena
I pull into my driveway and stifle a yawn as I kill the engine.
I stayed with my mother until visitation hours were over, hoping she’d wake up and be in a better mood so I could have even the tiniest bit of Christmas with her.
But she wasn’t in a better mood.
I should be happy that Grant and Noah showed up with a delicious ham dinner, yet every time I think about the way he held me and told me I wasn’t alone, it reminds me how alone I truly am.
No family of my own. No one to share the holidays with.
I hoist myself out of the car and drag my tired feet up the porch steps.
Then I let out a yelp.
Dark eyes blink up at me from my rocking chair. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I swallow, willing my heart to stay inside my chest as it thrashes around. “What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.”
Grant rises from the chair. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“Look, I appreciate what you did for me today. It was thoughtful and sweet, and I was so happy to spend the day with Noah.” I hike a shoulder. “What more is there to talk about?”
“I’d like to talk about us. You haven’t returned any of my calls, aside from everything that happened with Noah and Tara.”
“What more is there left to say? You think I should be with someone my own age. I got your message loud and clear, Grant. And after the day I just had, I really don’t need to rehash it all over again.”
I stick my key in the lock and twist, but Grant covers my hand with his. “Forget everything I said.”
My traitorous heart slams against my chest, screaming at me to hear him out.
“Please, Elena.”
I spin around to face him, my chest brushing against his as he cages me in against the door. “Why did you come today?”
“Because I couldn’t stand the thought of you spending Christmas without me and Noah.”
“So you felt bad, is that it?”
“No, that’s not it.” His eyes pierce through mine. “It’s because I miss you, and I can’t go another day without seeing you. Please let me come in so I can make things better.”
“Well, maybe it’s too late to make things better.” I arch a bratty brow. “Maybe Jason is on his way over right now. Maybe I took you up on your offer to date your friend.”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, amusement reflecting in his gaze. “Give me five minutes, and when Jason gets here, I’ll leave.”
“Fine.” I push open the door and step aside as I wave my arm in front of me. “Five minutes.”
I shrug off my coat and toss it on the back of the chair as I round the small table in the kitchen. I lean against the counter and cross my arms, bracing myself for whatever Grant is about to say.
Grant stands in front of me, resting against the opposing counter so we’re face to face. “I’m sorry I hurt you, and I’m sorry I pushed you away. But I didn’t do it because I wanted to. I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do. I did it because I want you to be happy, to have everything you want in life—everything you deserve.”
“And you didn’t think I could have that with you?”
“I didn’t want you to regret it. To regret me. I didn’t want to be the person who holds you back. You said it yourself that some people aren’t meant to stay in your life forever, but they’re meant to teach you a lesson. I don’t want to be your lesson, Elena. I want to be your everything. Your present and your future. I didn’t want you to tell me in five years that you were leaving because you wanted a family that I couldn’t give you. I didn’t know…I didn’t know that wasn’t an option for you. I hope you can see that my intention was never to hurt you. I was willing to hurt myself and let you go if that’s what you wanted.”
