Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
We stared at each other, frozen at an impasse. She was pale, and I saw the vulnerability and apprehension she was trying to cover. Elena’s death had made her fears of me getting hurt even stronger. My anger subsided, and I chose my next words carefully.
“Are you really going to do this? After everything we’ve been through? You’re going to make me choose? Force me to tell Sean I won’t follow through on my commitment and stay here because you don’t believe me anymore? Because you’re doubting us?”
She blanched, her eyes filling with tears. I gazed at her drawn face and made a decision, reaching behind her for my phone.
“If that’s what you need—if that’s what I have to do to prove this to you, then I will. I’ll call Sean and resign right now. You win.”
All the fight went out of her. Her shoulders slumped and her head dropped. Her emotions were all over the place, making me apprehensive. I needed her to talk to me, but she was shutting down.
“No,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, Adam.” She turned away. “I’m so sorry.” Her next words hit me like a Mack truck. “You’re leaving, and I’m so afraid you won’t come back.”
I caught her, spinning and dragging her into my arms, now understanding. Her anxiety was palpable. She was near her breaking point with all this. With me. My own trepidation increased. I couldn’t lose her. We were so close to the end of these long separations.
“I know, Ally. I understand,” I soothed. “It’s almost done. I need you to be strong for a little while longer. Don’t give up on me. You can do this. One last time. For me, please?”
Her fists gripped my shirt, her voice desperate. “You promise?”
“Yes.”
She nodded, her head resting on my chest. “I won’t see Bradley. I was just being a bitch.”
“You’re never a bitch,” I assured her, feeling relieved. I really didn’t want her seeing him. I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. “You’re not yourself. But I understand, baby. I really do.”
“Okay,” she replied. “We need to get you packed.”
I pressed my lips to her head. “That’s my girl.”
She didn’t hide her tears when I left. They ran down her face unheeded as we stood by the car. The harsh words we’d exchanged still hung between us. I wanted to leave on a good note—I had to see her smile before I left. I wrapped my arms around her.
“Your ring will be ready this week. You can go pick it up. Show it off.”
She nodded into my chest, tilting her head back and offering me a watery smile.
“Take a picture of it and send it to me. Let me see it on your finger.”
After Elena died, Ally had tucked her ring away, too sad to think about it. Finally, I had pulled it out and taken her with me to see about having it sized. It was time to move on. The rose gold and the intricate pattern on the ring made it a job for a true artist to size it down to fit her tiny finger, and it took longer than we expected. The jeweler located on the main floor of my building had found the same antique rose gold and had been occupied with the careful work to make it flawless. We had been waiting for it to be done. Now I wanted it on her finger.
“I added something,” I whispered to her.
“What?”
“An inscription.”
“What does it say?”
“Always. Forever. Yours.”
“Am I?”
“Yes.” I kissed her damp cheek. “A fight doesn’t change that, Nightingale.”
“Adam!” I looked around to see Chris heading toward us. “You ready to go, man? I’ve been waiting!”
I stifled a curse, knowing I had to leave her. I wanted to make sure she knew we were going to be fine. But more than that, I needed to know she was going to be fine.
She leaned up, brushing my cheek with her lips. “I’ll pick up my ring, but I’m waiting until you come home to wear it. I want you to put it on my finger.”
I slid my hand up her neck and pulled her to me, crashing my mouth to hers. I kissed her with everything I had. Hard, deep, and filled with words we didn’t have time to exchange. I moved back, breathing hard, my chest tight. “Once I put it on, you can’t ever take it off again.”
“Come home safe to me.”
I nodded. “Always.”
She stepped away. I grabbed my bags, backing from her slowly. It took everything in me to turn and walk away from her. It still felt as though things were unresolved, even with her sweet words of farewell. I turned back to say something to her, surprised to see she was already moving toward me. I dropped my bags and caught her in my arms.