Текст книги "Lovestrong"

Автор книги: Nikki Groom

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

Chapter 15

It’s been nearly a week since I called Lottie, and her voice has played around and around in my head like a beautiful torture. It’s bounced back and forth, playing a melody with my conscience and I’ve come to a huge decision.

I want her back.

I miss her, I love her, and I want her in my life, not on the other side of the world in England.

I know why I pushed her away. I know why I set her free. But the reality is, I’m miserable without her. From the minute I set eyes on her, I knew she was special and that has never changed. I’ve gone back and forth asking myself if I’m being selfish for wanting her back, for tying her to me when I can’t be everything I want to be for her, but if what Arianna and Denham says is anything to go by, Lottie feels the same way about me. Even after I was such a selfish bastard and broke her heart. But I’m going to mend it then never let it go. That’s if I’m not too late.

“Hey bro. You ready to go?” Denham asks from the doorway.

“Can you give me ten minutes? I need to make a phone call before we leave.”

“Can’t it wait?” he asks impatiently. “It’s not like you haven’t had all morning and you know what the traffic is like this time of day, your therapy session is at two.”

“D,” I chuckle. “We have enough time to drive there, twice.”

He is, and always has been Mr. Punctuality, which means getting everywhere half an hour before necessary. If you ask me, that’s a very boring way to spend too many hours. Who wants to spend time waiting around, when you can be doing something, making things happen?

“You won’t be joking when we are sitting in the heat, late for your therapy,” he grumbles. “Ten minutes. Then I’m wheeling you out whether you like it or not.” He points at me trying to be all serious, the smirk on his face gives him away.

He leaves and closes the door quietly behind him. Now I feel nervous.

Last time I called her it was spontaneous. This time I’ve planned it. And I’m so nervous that I want to be sick. I’ve been working things out in my head for days and imagining how this conversation would go. If she was still in Vegas, I’d find her, pull her down in to my lap, wrap my arms around her and I’d tell her how I feel with a kiss that she’d never forget. But I can’t do that. And I need her to know how I feel. Now.

I hit ‘call’ on my cell. It must be early evening in England, and I wonder if maybe I’m interrupting her, maybe she’s at dinner, perhaps with someone, a man …

“Hello?” she answers and her smooth, familiar voice calls to my heart from across the ocean.

That familiarity, that feeling of comfort, and home, and love, it solidifies everything that I’ve finally come around to realizing over the last few days.

“Lottie,” I breathe out, closing my eyes at the sound of her voice.

“Spike.” She sounds surprised. “Hi. Is everything okay?”

“Am I interrupting anything? Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

“Sure,” she answers.

I hear gulls cry in the background. “Where are you?”

“I’m actually sitting on the beach.”

“Oh. Isn’t it dark there by now?” I don’t like the idea of her sitting on a beach alone, maybe vulnerable, but I also shiver at the thought of her being with someone.

“Yeah, pretty much. There are plenty of streetlights up on the walkway, but it’s still gorgeous though,” she muses, and I try to picture what she can see.

“You always liked to be near the sea. Do you remember that time we drove all the way to the San Fran coast? It took hours to get there and we arrived just in time for the sun to set. We always said we’d go back for a sunrise, but never did.”

She laughs under her breath, “Yes, I remember that.”

Happy times. Very happy times.

“I miss you, Lottie,” I tell her.

“Spike …”

“I do. I miss you so fucking much and I know I was a bastard to you and I don’t deserve for you to even speak to me, but I need you to know that it’s not the same here without you. I miss you. Vegas misses you.”

The silence stretches between us and I glance across the Las Vegas skyline, brilliant stark sunlight, the opposite to England where Lottie is sitting on a dark, probably cold beach. “Are you still there?” I say quietly.

“Yes,” she whispers. “I don’t know what you want me to say to you, Spike.”

“Nothing, Lotts. I don’t expect you to say anything. I just wanted you to know that wherever you are in the world, whether it’s the under the sun or the stars, we will always see the same sky. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness and I acted like a selfish idiot. But I’m fighting to be positive. I’m fighting for the will to live and you’re there at the forefront of my inspiration.” She is quiet again and I wish she would give me some indication of what she’s feeling right now. I hear her sigh and take a jittery breath. “Lotts, are you okay?”

“I have to go, Spike. I’m sorry. I …I have to go,” she says hurriedly with tension straining her voice.

She ends the call. Leaving me with even more of a hole in my heart, but at least she knows I still care about her. I more than care about her. She’s my heartbeat.

I want her back in my life. I’ll take her any way I can get her, even if it means we are just friends. If it takes until my last breath to prove to her what she means to me, then that’s what I’m willing to do.

“You ready now, bro?” D asks, poking his head around the door.

“Yeah.”

I click my wheels in to action and follow him out of the door and into the elevator.

“Mom wanted to come today and see how you’re progressing, but I managed to get Ari to distract her with a shopping trip and my AmEx.”

“It’s not that I don’t want her to watch, D. It’s just …”

“I know.” He gives a tight nod and clamps his hand on my shoulder. “You want to see her face when she sees how far you’ve come.”

“Yup. And I’m not quite there yet, ya know?”

“Don’t have to explain yourself to me, man. Whenever you’re ready.”

We move through the foyer and out of the front double doors. Each time I do this it gets easier. Not easy. But easier. My chest still tightens when I first come out of the air conditioned building and get hit by the heat, but I’m able to push away the flashbacks that make my nerves shake.

“Bro!” Tara yells from the sidewalk and I snap my head around. Oh god, D is going to go nuts in three, two, one …

“What the fuck is that?” Denham roars, his eyes wide like they’re about to pop out of his head with a scowl on his face.

“This, dear brother, is a Harley,” she answers with a sweet smile before winking in my direction as she knows this will wind him up.

“Do I look stupid, Tara?” he bites, clearly feeling out of his brotherly comfort zone.

“No. Do I look like a twelve-year-old?” she retorts sharply.

“What?” he snaps, tapping his foot. I can feel the annoyance and frustration coming off him in waves.

“This, D, is a Harley. Not just any Harley. This is my Harley and I’ll be riding it to Seattle tomorrow morning.” Tara looks pleased with herself as she props her elbow on the bars of the very shiny, black motorcycle.

“Seattle?” Denham roars. “What the fuck are you going to Seattle for?”

“You know how far Seattle is, T?” I ask softly, trying to diffuse the atmosphere between two of the most stubborn people I know, and keep the peace just a little bit.

“Yes. I know how far it. Yes, I know how to ride a Harley. And yes, I’m well aware that neither of you think I’m capable of doing this.” Denham opens his mouth to interrupt her but she steps forward and holds her index finger up to stop him. “I am twenty four years old. You all treat me like a child because I’m the youngest in the family, but I need to do this to show you I can spread my wings without falling. So, me and Hank here,” she taps the seat of her new bike, “Will be spending a little time together while we ride to Seattle then down along the West Coast.”

“Hank?” I screw my face up at her nickname.

“Yup. Hank the Harley. It suits him, I think.”

“Fuck. Okay,” D says, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “We have to go or we’re gonna be late, but this conversation is not over.” He pins his gaze on Tara and she gives him a smirk.

“Good luck today, Spike. I’ll see ya later, yeah?” She strides toward me and kisses me on the cheek.

“You’re crazy, you know that?” I tell her lightheartedly.

She winks and throws her hair over her shoulder. “Yeah, I know, but I’m living it.”

Chapter 16

“Is everything okay?” Torr asks me as I end the call from Spike.

“I have to go,” I mumble, hopping up off the stony beach and starting to walk away.

“Lotts,” Torr calls out from behind me, before gently tugging me to a halt by my elbow. “What’s going on?”

I turn to face his concerned expression. “Torr, when you were little did your mom or dad tell you to wish on shooting stars?”

“Nah, my parents were arseholes. They would tell me to get out of their hair, or to leave them alone.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t expecting him to say that. It’s probably the most personal information Torr has shared with me about himself and it hits close to home because of my relationship with my own parents, well, my mom and stepdad anyway. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but I can see sadness in his eyes.

“Before my dad died, he would always look out of my window with me at night and we’d watch for shooting stars. We didn’t get many of them but when we did, it was so special. My dad told me that everything I wished for would come true one day. So I wished for a happily ever after. Every time, every shooting star,” I recall wistfully, looking in to the night sky. “I don’t even think I knew what it meant at five years old, it was just how all the story books ended. But I do know what that means for me now.”

“You’ll get your happily ever after, Lottie.” He reaches out and rubs my upper arm soothingly.

“Maybe,” I look around us. “But I won’t find it here.”

“You never know.”

I smile at his hopefulness for me, but shake my head. “My wishes couldn’t bring my dad back, or take my horrible bastard of a stepdad away, but they can change my path now.” I take a deep breath and blow it out. “I need to go back to Vegas, Torr.”

I’ve never been so sure of anything. It’s like I’m being pulled like a magnet, a draw so strong I can’t ignore it. I have to be where my family is.

“You do? Why such a fast decision? The phone call?” He searches my eyes for an answer, or maybe he’s looking for an indication that this is a rash decision.

“I have to go back, to Arianna, to Spike. I have to see if there’s anything left after the wreckage. There’s still a tiny spark of hope glowing in my heart. I can’t let that burn out without going back.”

“I hear ya.” He nods with a wry smile.

“I’m sorry. I know it means you’re gonna have to find a new receptionist, and it’s short notice, but …”

“I’ll cope. If this is what you need to do, if it makes you happy. When are you thinking of leaving?”

“I’m going now. Right this minute.”

“Now? How are you going to do that? You got a teleporter that I don’t know about?”

“No, I’ll just get the first available cab to the airport and the first available flight to Las Vegas. It feels right. Although I’ve been okay here, and you’ve been so wonderful to me, I’ve also realized that I don’t want to be here on my own. I want to be with Ari, and D and even Tara, who really annoys the shit out of me, but I miss her. And Spike, he’s the reason I’m here, he’s why I needed to get away and clear my head, but now he’s the main reason I have to go home. I have to see if there’s still something between us, and if not … then I need to try and find a way to be friends with him. I can’t live without them in my life. All of them. They’re my family.”

“You’re a crazy bitch,” he laughs, shaking his head at me.

“I’m spontaneous!”

“I say crazy!”

“Yeah,” I laugh. “You’re right. I am crazy.”

“Are you gonna call someone, your friend, and let her know you’re coming?” Torr asks as we near the airport. He insisted on driving me, which I thought was very sweet, and I was pleased that I had a little more time with him. We had checked flight times online and there was one in six hours’ time, so I booked it and threw my belongings into my case. I couldn’t have sat on my decision. The minute I made the choice to go back to Vegas, I knew I had to leave on the next available flight out. It felt right, deep down in my gut, I knew it was time.

“Nope. I’m gonna surprise them. Ari will squeal so loud that I’m sure you’ll hear her from here.” I grin.

Torr glances over at me before looking back to the road. “I’m gonna miss your crazy arse around the studio.” He gives a small smile and holds out his hand to the side for me to take. As I place my hand in his, he closes his fingers around mine and brings them up to his lips, kissing the back of my knuckles softly.

“I’m gonna miss you too, Torr,” I sigh and turn my head to look out of the window. If I look at him, I know I’m going to cry.

He holds my hand all the way to the airport, and only lets go when we pull up at the drop-off point. He grabs my case out of the trunk and stands in front of me on the sidewalk. “You want me to park up and come in with you?”

“Nah, it’s okay. I’ll check in and get something to eat before I board.” I take a deep breath, knowing what’s coming next. I hate goodbyes. “Well …”

“Well,” Torr whispers back, opening his arms to me. I practically jump the two paces between us and wrap my arms around his waist, burying my head into his warm chest and breathing him in for what I’m pretty sure will be the last time. He rests his cheek on the top of my head before saying, “God, I’m going to miss you.”

“I know.” I pull back from his chest and look up at his glistening eyes. “I’m going to miss you, too. Thanks for everything, Torr. You’ve been a great friend.”

“I’m good at being a good friend.” He shuffles his feet, and lets out a heavy sigh.

“Hey.” I place my hand on his cheek and position myself so he has to look into my eyes. “Your happily ever after is out there somewhere. I don’t even know if I will have mine, yet. But remember that everything happens for a reason. Maybe you need to start wishing on shooting stars.” I offer him a smile, and he nods slowly before smiling back at me.

“Okay.” He breathes deep before taking my hand in his. “I gotta go. You sure you’re going to be okay from here?”

“Sure thing, tiger,” I chirp.

“Tiger?”

I shrug and wince. “It seemed like a tiger moment.”

“Get outta here.” He shoves my shoulder playfully and I smack his arm with the back of my hand.

“I’m going,” I say, but I hesitate to move.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispers, his eyes glassing over. He places his palm to my cheek and moves in slowly to press his lips to mine. My eyes close, and I savor every second of him without guilt or regret. It’s a tender goodbye, one I’ll always remember. “Goodbye, firebird,” he speaks quietly against my lips. Then he turns and leaves, glancing back only as he opens his car door to give me a wink before driving off and leaving me to go home.

Chapter 17

I finish up a therapy session with Dan that went really well. I’m beginning to feel a little more positive every day. This can be attributed to many different things. One of them, surprisingly, is Ben. He’s so innocent, yet full of life and hope, and it made me realize that I could at least try harder and not wallow in the depths of self-pity that I had grown used to. I know he didn’t want a new wheelchair, and I didn’t want to make him feel like I didn’t believe he would walk again, so D and I arranged to have five brand new wheelchairs delivered to the therapy center as a donation. The thought of someone needing one and not being able to have it ate away at my conscience and made me realize that while I might not be lucky to have had the accident in the first place, I had the luxury of money that could buy comfort and make my life easier.

“Spike!” Ben calls out as I’m leaving the therapy room. I turn around to see him click his new chair forward with ease, his little arms not having to struggle and fight with wheels half the size of him. If I could grab him up out of that chair and swing him around, I would. But we stop our chairs in front of each other and bump fists, which has become our new greeting.

“What do you think?” he asks with a smile stretching across his chubby little freckled cheeks. He pulls the chair back and spins it in a circle.

“Wow! Those are smart wheels you have there, dude.” I’m overwhelmed with happiness that I can make just a small difference to this little boy’s life.

“Yeah. The center had a donation and they offered one to me. I won’t need it for long though,” he insists sternly with a frown.

“Of course you won’t, buddy. But it’ll give those arms of yours a little rest,” I tell him with a smile. He’s tenacious. Actually, he’s like a little version of Lottie.

“When I’ve finished with it, I’m going to polish it and give it to another kid to use.”

“I think that sounds like an awesome idea.” I swallow the hard lump in my throat. Kindness knows no bounds, and this kid has it in heaps. I don’t actually think he realizes how much he’s taught me since that day he walked just six small steps. For someone in a wheelchair, that’s like walking on the moon.

“Will you be here again tomorrow, Spike?”

“Yep, you bet! Those legs of yours feeling strong, soldier?”

“Yes, sir. I did eight steps yesterday and mom said because I ate all my dinner last night, and three pancakes this morning, that I should have enough energy to do the ten that I’m aiming for today. Will you stay and watch?”

“Of course,” I answer without hesitation. “Of course I will stay and watch.” I have no firm plans today anyway, and even if I did, I would cancel them for Ben.

I daydream out of the window as Denham drives us home from the therapy center. Seeing Ben with new wheels, knowing D and I have made a difference to not only his life, but others too, fills me with immense satisfaction and pride. We’ve spoken about setting up a charity for underprivileged children to get them equipment and provide therapy sessions that they need to help them live as fulfilled lives as possible. Not only does it feel great to be doing something for others, it’s a focus that I need to push me out of bed when I’m having a bad day.

“Mom and Ari are doing lunch across the hall for Tara in a couple of hours, you coming?” D asks.

“Of course,” I answer easily. It’s becoming easier for me to say yes to social arrangements than it was before, especially if it’s just across the hall.

“Okay,” he mutters distractedly, turning to leave but not actually going anywhere. He’s been deep in thought and hasn’t lost the deep crease in the center of his forehead since Tara announced she was leaving on her road trip.

“You okay, bro?” I ask as he pulls in to the parking lot of the hotel. “You’ve been quiet since yesterday.”

“No, I’m not fucking okay,” he mutters, pulling into his space and cutting the engine. “She’s twenty-four years old, Spike. How the fuck am I supposed to look after her if she’s biking down the coast? What if she falls off, huh? What if she knocks herself unconscious?”

“D…” I try to halt him, but he’s on a roll.

“What if some slimy bastard targets her because she’s solo? Oh, god. She could get raped or something.”

“D!” I call out a little louder.

“We won’t be able to help her, Spike,” he snaps, clearly struggling with his thoughts.

“D, will you just breathe for fuck’s sake, you said it yourself, but you need to look at it from a different angle. She’s twenty-four years old. What were you doing at twenty-four, huh?”

“I was pretty much running this place,” he answers, scraping a hand across his mouth in agitation.

“Exactly. She’s not a stupid kid. Yes, she’s got herself into a few situations. Yes, she’s made some poor choices, but that’s no different than you or I. Let her find her way. She’s smarter and tougher than you think. Or than you want to think.”

“I just−”

“She doesn’t need us watching her back every minute of the day, bro. We’ve all taught her to be the kickass, headstrong, beautiful girl that she is. Trust in that, trust in her and let her make her own choices,” I finish what turned out to be a bit of a speech, and D doesn’t answer right away, which means that he’s thinking over what I’ve said. That doesn’t happen often.

He sits with his body turned toward me and his elbow resting on the steering wheel. “You know I hate it when you’re right.”

“I know,” I grin.

“You know I hate it when you verbalize how right you are?” He raises one brow at me in annoyance.

“I know that too. Just chill out, D. She’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine. Just look after you and your girl. The rest will follow, okay?”

“Did someone put positivity pills in your coffee this week?”

I laugh because for the last few months it’s been Denham giving me the pep talk and me having to listen to his words of wisdom and encouraging advice. “Something like that.” Something like Lottie.

“Not that I’m complaining, bro. It’s fucking great to see a smile on your face. What changed?”

I take a deep breath. The Kings are a stubborn lot and it’s hard for me to admit when I’m wrong. But I was wrong about a lot of things and I’m putting the wheels in motion to change that.

“Me. I’ve changed. I know, it took long enough. I also know I can’t take back some of the things I’ve said or done, but I’m going to do my absolute best to make it right.”

Denham cups his great big palm affectionately against the side of my face, making me look at him. “I’m fucking proud of you, Spike. Really fucking proud. We’ll be okay. All of us. It’ll work out.”

“I know it will. Thanks, D.” I nod, swallowing hard.

“Okay.” He straightens up, man moment over. “I better get back to helping. Ari has a list of things for me to get ready. I swear she thinks she’s hosting a lunch for the fucking President.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Gonna fucking need it,” he mumbles, jumping out of the car to come around to my side.

“Oh, D?” I call after him and he turns back to me. “Thanks.”

He acknowledges me with a salute. “Let’s get to it.” He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, but he can’t hide the love and devotion he feels for Arianna. Dude is so whipped, and he loves it. Seeing him happy is something I never thought I would see. He was so set on running this place and watching over us as a family that he never gave himself the time to build a life and a future for himself. But it all changed when he met Arianna. He’s happy to loosen the reins on this place. He’s happy looking forward to a future with the love of his life and I know that’s what I want, too. I’m not sure if Lottie will forgive me or if I pushed away too far. But I can’t imagine my future with anyone else and if I’ve learned anything from the kids at the therapy place, it’s that you have to be made of stronger stuff and when you think you’re done, you’re not. There’s always more to give, always more to fight for.

When I’m back in my apartment, I grab an iced coffee and wheel out to my favorite spot on the balcony, looking over the strip. The sun is hot on my skin and I tilt my head up to the sky. A plane flies over, one of many that fly over Las Vegas.

I grab my cell and take a photo of the beautiful sharp blue sky, broken up only by cotton white clouds and the trail that the plane leave behind. Impulsively, I open the picture in a message to Lottie.

We see the same sky xx

“Okay! Now that I have you all here, I want to say a few words,” Denham announces, tapping a knife on his wine glass. Arianna and Mom have gone over and above just a simple dinner, and I know my mom is loving having another girl around the place that she can be extravagant with.

“I know the last few months haven’t been easy, we’ve all had a pretty rough time of it and it’s nice for once that we can come together for something happy, I think. Although it scares the crap out of me, and I think I might need Valium for the next week,” Denham says with a laugh before turning his attention to Tara. “I’m unbelievably proud of you, little sis. I can’t even imagine how quiet it’s going to be without you here.” He swallows noisily, taking a deep breath before he can continue, “Actually. I can imagine. It’s gonna be bliss, right, Ari?” The table erupts with much needed, lighthearted laughter. “I also think my wallet might be fuller for longer.” Arianna raises a brow at him at this comment. “Hmmm, maybe not. Anyway, I just want to say I’m so proud of you for being so fearless and independent and I want to remind you that you’re not invincible, but you are pretty remarkable. I want you to promise that you will call me if you need anything, anything at all, yes?”

“I will, thanks, D.” Tara jumps out of her seat and flings her arms around his neck. He holds her tight as if he doesn’t want to let her go and I think this is harder on him than any of us. They might bicker and have differing opinions at every turn, but they’re also really close. D not only sees her as a sister but he takes the place of her father figure too. Tara makes her way around the table, and everyone stands to give her a hug. It’s one of the times where I would give everything to stand up and hug her properly, but I’m beginning to accept that instead of not being able to hug her at all, we just have to do it differently.

“I’m going to miss your face around here,” I sigh when she comes to stand in front of me. She takes my hands in hers and smiles down at me.

“I won’t be gone for long. A month, maybe two, depending on how things go along the way.”

“I know. I just want you back here safe. That’s all that matters, okay?”

“Okay.” She leans down and hugs me, holding on extra tight. “Take care of you.”

“A toast,” Denham calls and Tara kisses me on the cheek before jumping up and passing me a glass of champagne. “To Tara.”

“To Tara,” everyone cheers and raises their glasses.

“Can I say something?” I ask, and the table falls silent. I grin at the fact that everyone stares at me in disbelief. “I know this isn’t the first family dinner we’ve had since… well, since everything changed. But I feel like this is the first time we’ve had a family dinner that I actually feel like I’m here. I know that sounds weird and I’m hoping you’re all going to be able to read between the lines and hear what I’m saying, but …”

The door swings open, interrupting my speech and drawing everyone’s attention as it bangs and reaches full extension, nearly wrenching it off its hinges.

Arianna squeals, and Tara screams so loud my eardrums feel like they’re going to burst.

My heart jolts. An electric current passes through it and it feels like it has just started beating a rhythm that’s no longer foreign to me.

“Lottie!” Tara and Ari call as they run to the door and sweep her off her feet. I wish it could be me sweeping her off her feet. I’m reminded of yet another thing that I will never be able to do for her, but the happiness of having her in such close proximity after what feels like an eternity overrides the self-pity I’ve grown to accept as normal. She’s here. Not more than a second or two away from me. There’s no room for ‘what ifs’ or ‘I wish’. I’m learning that the only way things will happen for me and Lottie is if I make it happen.

The girls babble incoherently and Mom goes over to join them, giving Lottie a kiss on the cheek and joining in the group hug.

“Did you know she was coming back today?” Denham asks, placing his hand on my shoulder.

“No. Can’t say I’m sorry though,” I answer without taking my eyes off her. I don’t want to look away for fear that it’s not real and she’ll vanish before I get the chance to touch her. I think there was a part of me that believed she may never come back. I was terrified that she would fall in love with a rich, successful British guy and never look back. I couldn’t have blamed her if she did. Even though it would have broken my heart beyond repair.

Denham gives my shoulder a squeeze before walking over to the girls and breaking up the hug to get in there himself. He whispers in her ear and she glances over to me. I’m the only one that hasn’t moved yet. The only one on this side of the room. She drops her purse from her shoulder and meets my eyes. Everyone else falls silent, watching us. Waiting for what will happen next. Lottie walks forward slowly, not dropping her gaze. Her eyes twinkle. Her lips twitch. And when she’s just one step away from me, she stops. Her lips part and she takes a shaky breath.

I don’t know what to do or say now that she’s right in front of me. So I just hold out my hand and she places hers in mine without any hesitation. It feels like slipping between silk sheets. Perfect, and right, and everything I want it to be.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hi, to you, too,” she replies with a smirk tugging the corner of her beautiful, soft lips.

I tug her hand and she squeals, “Spike!” as she falls in to my lap. Hearing her say my name solidifies every thought I’ve had over the last few weeks. I quickly wrap both arms around her and secure her in place. I’m never going to let her go. I have no intention of letting her back away from me now.

“I’m going to hurt you!” she cries, laughing and wriggling to shift her weight off me.

“No, you’re not. Just let me hold you, Lottie.” I tighten my grip around her tiny frame and breathe her in. “Let me see you for just a minute. It’s been so long. Too long,” I whisper and she settles, looking into my eyes.

I study her face. Her freckles are the same. Her eyes, framed with long lashes, sparkle and shine like diamonds under the brightest sky. I place my hand on the side of her face, my thumb resting on the soft skin of her cheek.

“I’ve missed you,” I breathe out. “God, have I missed you, Lottie.”

I want to laugh. I want to cry, and most of all I want to kiss her like her life depends on it and never let her go.

“I missed you too,” she says softly, her arms settling around my neck. “So much.”

The rest of the world falls away to insignificance and it’s just me and her, like it always was. When I have her in my arms like this, the world is right again and anything seems possible. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.