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“A year ago,” I say, starting the engine. “I asked for another chance. You gave that to me without question tonight. I want to thank you for this opportunity.”
Her chin lifts as she angles my way. “You’re welcome.”
I back out of the overlook parking spot. “I’ll get you back to the city.” Now she eyes me, her lips twisted to one side as she bites the inside of her cheek. I continue, “I’m sure you have a busy day tomorrow.”
“I do, actually.”
I pull back onto the road, knowing I have one hour, not for me to change her mind, but for her to do it. Convincing someone to love you is only a temporary trick. The real magic is when they believe it themselves. Then it’s genuine.
Keeping the music low in the background, I ask, “Why did you apply for your residency in New York?”
Planting her elbow on the door, she rests her head in her hand and tightens her expression as if she might be onto me. But then she says, “It’s easier to disappear here and live life on your own terms.”
“Why do you want to disappear?”
“I don’t need a lot to make me happy. A great bagel, solid friendships, and family. I’m within a few hours, if not closer, to all those things.” She smiles, easing back against the leather seat. “I’m also a people watcher. I like the city, the vibe, the busyness of it all. Everyone has somewhere to be. It’s nice to sit in the chaos without getting sucked into it.”
Her smile is enough of a reward to soothe the angst twisting inside. I go on to ask, “Do you believe that people can change?”
“Oh, um . . .” She glances at me, appearing surprised at the question by how she readjusts, and her brows rise. “I believe people will change when it feels right to do so. For some, it might take a lifetime to realize they need to. Others change in the moment.”
“What about forgiveness?” I ask, silently pleading that she can give me a reason to hold on to hope.
“Am I being interrogated?”
“No. I just want to hear your thoughts.”
“What about forgiveness?” she repeats the question as she mulls her answer. There’s no sigh of defensiveness, but I’m still glad she can speak her mind. “Forgiveness takes time.”
As much as I hate to admit it, we still have a few hurdles to jump, so I understand what she means. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive my aunt for the guilt she put on me and the lies she made me tell about my cousin.”
“I understand. I’d struggle with that as well.”
I still don’t understand my aunt’s motives. To protect a reputation he’d already jaded? To destroy me in her grief? I’ll probably never have the answers. I’m not upset that she’s been removed from mine and my family’s lives.
As for Lark, I want to know everything she believes. I ask, “What about love?”
“What about love?”
“Do you think it’s meant for everyone, even the damned and damaged?”
That she hasn’t shied away from answering any of my questions is a good sign. She’s engaging as well as enchanting. She replies, “I think even the most injured hearts have the capacity for love. It comes through forgiveness, but if the person can find the strength, they can move on. Not everyone can.”
“Can you?”God, I hope so.
“I hope so.” Her gaze extends through the windshield as she adds, “My dad didn’t.”
The knot that had been eased years ago upon my return to the States rolls across my chest, picking up everything I had left untouched—the truth of her scholarship, why I left, and even the way I found her at the restaurant earlier tonight. The details could make things worse or bring us together, but I won’t take the gamble. Not with her. Not with this chance. “Why not?”
“He couldn’t forgive my mom. He’s spent his life hurt to the bone.” She turns to look at me, a hand covering her mouth under wider eyes, like the similarity just struck her. “I don’t want to live the rest of my life trapped by the pain of the past.”
“I would never want that for you.”
Her hand lowers, and there’s the smallest of knowing smiles along with a roll of her eyes. “I bet.”
“Iwillbet. I’ll bet destiny hasn’t played her hand when it comes to us.” Okay, resorting to what I know she believes in might be considered shady, but what’s the point of having inside information if you don’t use it?
Her smile blooms, and I’m not fucking upset about it. “How much?”
