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“Birthday time.” I grinned. “Wait right here, I have your present—”
“No, wait.” She wrapped herself around me. “Let me enjoy this.”
I couldn’t deny her, no matter how excited I was to give her the gift sitting in the bottom drawer. It had cost me a small fortune but she was worth it, and Bryson had given me a nice little bonus for all the new business I was bringing his way.
A soft sigh slipped from Harleigh’s lips as she laid her head on my chest, tracing our names on my stomach. “I can’t believe I live here now.”
“I can’t believe you finally said yes.”
Harleigh had taken her sweet time deciding to finally make the permanent move here. But I’d been patient, letting her arrive at the decision herself.
If she’d have chosen to keep a room at her father’s estate, I would have accepted it. I would have hated it, sure, but I would have accepted it. Because every second with this girl—this strong, brave, courageous girl—was a fucking blessing.
She peered up at me and smiled. “You’re stuck with me now, Wilder.”
“I can think of worse places to be.” I smirked, leaning down to kiss her.
“You said something about presents.”
Rolling my eyes, I slipped out of my bed and went to retrieve the jewelry box.
“What do you have there?” Harleigh leaned up on one elbow as I sat on the edge of the bed and slid the box toward her.
“Happy birthday, B.”
She worked the box open and stared down at the contents. “It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Here, let me put it on.” I plucked the bracelet off its cushion and unclasped it. Harleigh lifted her wrist, letting me fasten it in place.
“Is that a semicolon?” she asked, inspecting the flat silver charm laying in the middle of the delicate chain.
“It is. Do you know what it represents?” She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. “Your story isn’t over, Harleigh.” I ran my thumb over the charm, letting it brush the scar underneath. “And I want you to know that wherever your journey takes you, I promise I’ll be there. Right by your side. Always.”
“I love you, Phoenix Wilder. So much it terrifies me.”
“Then we can be scared together.” I leaned in, touching my head to hers, breathing her in.
My heart.
My hope.
My home.
“Happy birthday, B.” Kye pulled Harleigh in for a hug. “I hope this idiot got you something nice.”
“He did.” Her eyes flashed to mine, love and understanding shining there.
“Is everyone here?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Everyone is present and accounted for.”
A bolt of nerves went through me. I’d either got it right tonight or I’d fucked everything up. But there was only one way to find out.
“Come on,” I said, placing my hand on her lower back. “Everyone’s inside.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Kye whispered as I passed him, and he clapped me on the shoulder.
The manager had agreed to close to the general public for us. I didn’t have the sway to make that happen, but the man standing at the bar, watching his daughter drink in the magenta and black decorations, did.
