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“I can help you.”
“You are. By letting me choose me right now, I’m choosingyou.” She steps back, and I already miss her. “I have to do this to be able to fully give myself to you, Ian.”
“How long will you be gone?” My mind goes to calculating how I can go with her.
“The restaurant is depending on me to return in a couple of days.” I swallow and nod, questioning ifthisis the actual goodbye. “I need to secure and settle a few things before committing to forever in Beechwood Falls.” I can only nod as her hands come up to my jaw. “Hey, I’m yours. Time to put on the big girl pants and get my life back in order. Take the highroad and go for what I want.”
“Okay.” My mind screams, asking where this leaves us. “If this is what you need to do, then do it.” I can’t force her to stay.
“That’s it?” Her head cocks to the side, slightly puzzled.
“Yesterday took you for the ride of a lifetime. You’ve spent years building a life there. I know you have commitments in Aspen, and friends.”
“Not entirely. My best friend is still in Europe.” She shrugs, as if that’s the only thing that kept her there.
“I can fly her out here to see you.” There’s nothing I won’t do for this woman.
“Money isn’t a problem for her.” She laughs, looking out at the trees lining the lake with a softened gaze. “If my gut is right, she’s fated for one of the local billionaires.”
“Do you feel fated to me?” Do I want an honest answer?
“Are you worried I won’t come back?” The taunt in her voice makes me feel a little more relaxed.
My phone starts ringing on the counter, pulling both our eyes in the direction. I want to ignore it. I want to focus on Emery and what’s about to happen with us.
“What if it’s your niece?”
“She prefers texting.” I walk over to the island and pick up my phone, quickly swiping to answer and shoot Emery and questionable look.
“Hey, Chickpea,” I’m so distracted by my moment with Emery that I’m half paying attention when I answer.
“Can you come get me at the lake by The Falls?” That snaps me into focus. I can hear loud music and people partying in the background.
“Are you safe?”That captures Emery’s full attention as her eyes widen.
“Right now, yeah. I just don’t want to be around this crowd of teenagers.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Stay on the phone with me.” I put her on speakerphone. Teenagers partying by the lake is nothing new, but my twelve-year-old niece should not be there. I know the type of shit that goes down. I used to be one of the partiers.
“It’s not life-or-death, Uncle Ian.” I grab my keys as Emery slips on her shoes.
“I’m coming with you,” she whisper-yells, and in my panic I nod as we head to my truck.
“How’d you end up there?” I break the speed limit once I hit the dirt road. Today is just hammering me with negative emotions.
“Mom’s new guy has a sixteen-year-old daughter, and she brought us here so our parents could have alone time.” At least Sophie is out of the house, but I don’t know which location is worse.
“I’m almost there.” I hear the crowd through the car speaker and Emery places her hand on the back of my neck. Her thumb rubs down the side, trying to soothe my stress, but remains quiet. I’ve barely had a second to process what we are going through, and now family drama occurs. Last time this happened, it only fueled her to stay out of the way.
“I’m here for you.” Her voice is low as she squeezes the back of my neck. Iwantto believe her. We continue down the road until I spot my niece. Hanging up, she runs over to the truck and climbs in the back.
“I’m sorry.” Her panicked voice fills the car. “She seemed cool, and I didn’t think the lake would be this bad.” As her eyes swing to Emery, a look of embarrassment comes over Sophie’s face.
“Which girl brought you?” I unbuckle my seatbelt, scanning the group, ready to chew this girl out.
“That doesn’t matter. She won’t get in trouble by her father anyway.” Sophie has a point, but the parental instinct in me wants to know why the fuck she brought a twelve-year-old to the lake to drink with older guys.
“I’d still like a word with her.”
