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“Thank you, Dom,” I call after him as he heads to his car.
He turns around and nods. “Anytime, Brooke. Anytime.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
BLAZE
WHEN I WAKE, it’s to the comforting feeling of a soft, small body pressed to my front. My arms encircle Brooke, holding her close.
I smile, keeping my eyes shut for an extra minute. This is how life is supposed to be. How we’re supposed to be.
Propping myself up on my elbow, I check the clock. It’s just after midnight. Jesus. I slept for seven hours. I haven’t slept for that long in... I don’t know, actually.
I brush Brooke’s hair out of her face, gazing down at her. She stirs, leaning her head into my touch, and I almost lean down and kiss her. But I can’t do that. Not yet.
When Brooke opens her eyes, I soak in the split second of pure contentment on her features. But then she inhales sharply, and every muscle in her body goes stiff. She glances at the clock. “Shit. I’m sorry.” She starts to move away, but I keep her close.
“Sorry?” My fingers trail down her arm. Maybe I shouldn’t, but I can’t stop myself. Not when she’s so close. Not when she came in while I was sleeping to— “Wait, what are you doing in here?”
She pushes herself into a sitting position. It’s dark, but I can still see the worry on her face. “I’m sorry. I know I said I needed space. But I—you—did you really mean it, Blaze? You’ll do anything to fix us? You’ll have me back?” Her voice breaks.
“Fuck. Yes, of course I meant it.” I scoop her up and pull her onto my lap. She straddles me, wrapping her legs and arms around me like she’s afraid that if she lets go, I’ll disappear.
“I missed you,” she chokes out, holding onto me tighter. “I needed you, and I pushed you away, and it was the worst decision of my life.”
She needed me?
I hold her close.
Of course she did. She always has, just like I’ve always needed her.
“I just... I wanted to feel close to you. I wanted to be with you. But I didn’t want to wake you up. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, I swear.”
“Shh,” I whisper, rubbing her back in slow strokes. She’s not crying, but I know she’s right on the edge. And fuck, I don’t think I can handle seeing tears in her eyes again. “It’s okay, Daisy. I don’t mind.” I kiss her shoulder. “It was a pleasant surprise.”
She relaxes into me. “Dominic dropped by. Told me about your therapy plan. Blaze, I—thank you. Thank you.”
As she nestles her head in the crook of my neck, I smile. Right now, it’s impossible to feel the anger that’s been consuming me for the past year. All that exists is me, my Daisy, and a desperate need to make sure she never misses me again.
I welcome the feeling with relief. I don’t want to be angry. I don’t want to be scared she’ll walk away from me again. And god, I don’t want to hurt her anymore.
I want my Brooke back. I know I can’t undo the harm I’ve caused her, but I can help her heal. First, I just need to sort my shit out. And I’ll do it for her. I’ll do anything for her.
“Please don’t let me go,” she whispers.
“I won’t. I promise I won’t.”
She sighs against my skin, and an idea sparks in my mind.
“Hey. Get up. Put something warmer on. I want to take you somewhere.” As I set her on the mattress, I kiss her forehead.
“Where?”
I give her a grin. “It’s a surprise.”
THE LAKE IS CALM tonight. Gentle waves lap against the shore, only illuminated by the moon and the faint lights of the city. We haven’t been to this specific spot together since high school, although I still venture out here sometimes.
When we pull into the parking lot, her face lights up.
