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“Some things are more important to you than they are to me. This way, we both get what we want.”
“Bye, P.”
I purse my lips. “Goodbye Troy. And good luck…not just with your campaign.”
The phone clicks off and I take a moment, breathing in the cool air.
“How’s Charlie?” Chase asks, coming up behind me, wrapping me in his arms.
“She’s going to lay into me about the check tomorrow, I just know it.” I look down at the phone before handing it to him with a wince. “I called someone else after I got off with her.”
He swipes and looks at the D.C. area code on the screen, then flicks his gaze back to me. “You okay?”
I nod with a smile. “We’re good.”
He kisses the top of my head and takes my hand. “Walk with me for the sunset?”
“Something on your mind?” I ask as we stroll down to the town park.
“Yeah.” He stops walking and twists me. “I’m sorry I left you that weekend, knowing they were out looking for you.”
My smile fades. I’d almost forgotten about that.
He sighs. “I don’t know what’s worse, letting you think I abandoned you or—” He swallows hard, looking at his feet. Something I’ve never seen him do.
“Or what?”
“Or confirm your nightmares.”
“You’re not making any sense.”
“Pepper, the reason I left with Noah that day is because—we’re looking for your parents.”
A rush of air escapes my lungs, and my eyes widen. “They’re—”
“I don’t know. But I believe you when you say it wasn’t them in the car. And…I want to find them for you.”
My eyes sting.
“We were following a lead and—”
“You found them?”
He breathes out, sadly, taking my hands. “No. But we’re getting close.”
I sniffle and he cups my face. “I almost lost you because I kept something from you. I’m not making that mistake again, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I wish I had more to tell you, but we don’t know much.”
I nod and throw my arms around him. “Thank you.”
After a long moment, he pulls back, holding that gorgeous ring between us. “Maybe one day, we’ll find them and I can ask his permission to have you forever. But…in the meantime…” He takes my hand and waits for me.
I nod. “Yes, please. I’ll never take it off again,” I promise him before he slides it onto my finger.
“You can wear it but I’m not proposing officially.”
“You’re not?”
He shakes his head. “When I do, the timing will be perfect. It will be in front of all our friends and family. And…I’ll be down on one knee.”
