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I just hope I didn’t overstep.
“Since I never want to do anything to take away your ability to make your own decisions, I picked up ingredients for about five different possibilities. Scallops. Filet mignon. Lamb. Salmon. And even some duck.”
I shift through the various wrapped cuts of meat and seafood that cost me a small fortune. But Esme’s worth it.
“If I’m missing anything, let me know and I’ll text Harriet. Obviously, it’s best if I’m not seen coming or going, but I can make sure you have whatever you need.”
Esme blinks, mouth agape, not immediately saying anything. Her expression is an exact replica of the one she wore minutes ago when she learned she’d be spending the night with me instead of her two best friends.
“If you don’t want to cook, I can attempt something. I make a somewhat decent steak. At least I think I do. Probably not nearly as good as yours, but—”
“Your gift is for me to cook us dinner?”
I cringe, running my hand through my hair. “Now that you say it out loud, it does sound like a pretty shite gift. Almost as bad as a vacuum cleaner, I suppose. I remember how you told me you wanted to go to culinary school and loved the independence cooking gave you. Since you don’t get to do much of it, I thought—”
Before I can utter another syllable, she flings her arms around me, hugging me tighter than she ever has, her body trembling against mine.
“This is the fucking sweetest thing anyone’s ever given me,” she chokes out.
I pull her closer, grateful she doesn’t hate my gift, but at the same time frustrated this is the first decent birthday she’s ever had. I’m sure Anderson has tried to celebrate it in his own way, but Esme deserves to be thought of. Deserves to have everything she could ever want.
Even if I’m more than aware of how impossible that is.
“I’ll never be able to compete with whatever flashy piece of jewelry Jameson plans to give you. I just—”
“I don’t care about that.” Pulling out of my chest, she swipes at her cheeks, eyes glassy with emotion. “This is infinitely better than even the most expensive piece of jewelry. Because it means you actually listened. Did whatever you needed to give it to me. That makes this gift much more valuable. Priceless, really.”
My shoulders fall out of relief, and I hover my lips near hers. “I just want to make you happy, Esme. That’s all.”
“You do, Creed. You make me so damn happy.”
It’s a simple statement, one most people wouldn’t think twice about.
But it’s not a simple one for Esme. Not when she’s been intentional about keeping her feelings locked up for most of her life.
Especially these past few weeks around me.
It may not be a declaration of love, but with Esme, I’ve learned to celebrate the small victories. Knowing I was able to make her happy is a victory I plan to celebrate for the rest of my life.
“And you make me so damn happy, too, Esme. The happiest I’ve ever been.”
She doesn’t chastise me for saying things I shouldn’t. Instead, she touches her mouth to mine, allowing herself to succumb to the fantasy that we could be together. That we could be happy.
I know it’s a bad idea. That we’re setting ourselves up for failure.
Right now, I don’t care about that.
All I do care about is this amazing woman I can’t imagine not being in my life.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Esme
“My god, Esme,” Creed moans, eyes rolling into the back of his head in bliss. “You’re bloody incredible.”
Heat covers my cheeks as I fight a smile.
I’ve never been one to seek anyone’s approval, not after growing up in a world where acceptance is never given. But after being with Creed, I hunger for his compliments.
