my soul, my past. I can only hope it’s enough to convince her to choose us.
“Don’t leave tomorrow, Addison.”
I wake with a start. It’s dark in Damian’s bedroom, the sun still asleep for the night. He is peaceful beside me, his hand cupping my breast, his breathing deep and rhythmic.
My fingers trace the outline of his, and he holds me tighter, his sleep-induced mind grasping firmer onto me. Settling back into his warm embrace, I replay Megan’s tragic story . . . Damian’s story, and my heart hurts for both of them . . . for Emily. So many ‘what if’ scenarios could have changed the course of that doomed night, but life happens for a reason, and Damian’s right, we need to love the life we have—be grateful for the good and the bad.
He asked me to stay. His last words a plea, begging me not to do this to us. I don’t want to leave. I’m in love with him, it’s as simple as that, but I don’t know how to fix us. We somehow need to find each other again. But that’s not going to happen if I stay. He needs to focus on Emily and I need to focus on me, as selfish as that is.
Turning in his heavy sleep leaden arms I wrap myself around him one last time and place my lips right below his ear. The scruff on his cheek brushes against mine and I close my eyes, capturing this moment and willing my mind to hold onto it until I can see him again. “I love you,” I whisper. “I’ve loved you for a long time. Please wait for me. I promise, this isn’t goodbye, but a chance for us to start again. Better next time, with nothing holding us back.” Gently I kiss his warm skin, my nose brushing against the underside of his jaw. He twitches, his arms tightening around me, but his breathing stays deep and steady, his eyes still closed.
Quietly sliding out of his embrace, I gather my clothes and leave his apartment for the last time, effectively breaking both our hearts.
My apartment is cold and eerily silent as I enter. Boxes piled high, walls void of any decoration and all my memories securely packed away. An empty feeling settles deep in my gut, and it feels as if I’ve already left, like I’m a stranger in the place I’ve always called home.
Stripping the bed bare, I roll up the sheets, packing them away and lie down on the mattress.
I must have fallen asleep, as I’m startled awake by my front door slamming shut. Jumping off the bed, I race into the living room and see Damian storming towards me. He doesn’t stop, but wraps his arms around my body and presses me up against the nearest wall. His lips find mine, his tongue glides against my own, and a groan releases from deep in his chest.
Wrapping my legs around his hips, I kiss him back, as he keeps me pinned to the wall. “I will come for you,” he says through labored breaths. “As soon as Emily is healthy, I will come for you.”
I nod and rest my forehead against his, not sure I can find the words to tell him exactly how I feel.
“I get it. We need a restart. But so help me God, Addison Peacock, when that day comes, you better be ready for forever, because I’m not going to let you go again.”
I bury my face in his neck and hold onto him tight, memorizing his scent, the feel of his skin. “I love you, Damian.”
“I know Green Eyes, I know.
She’s been gone three months. Ninety-two days and sixteen hours to be exact. I kept her on that wall for at least twenty minutes, making sure her lips felt my presence for days after she left. I didn’t want to let her go, but she was right, we needed a fresh start, with nothing standing in our way.
Emily’s words play on repeat in my mind. “She didn’t mean to hurt you, Damian. You have to forgive someone when it’s an accident.” How such a little girl could be so knowledgeable about the human heart is mind blowing, but we are talking about Emily.
“Go see her.” I look at her sweet face and take her all in. Wisps of blonde hair are beginning to grow back, gracing her perfect round skull.