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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
E. Salvador
Read between
September 16 - September 18, 2025
To anyone who’s ever felt they didn’t deserve to be seen. I see you. I’m so happy you are here!
“My name is Daniel Garcia, but my friends call me Danny.” His words are soft, but friendly, laid-back almost as if he were talking to a friend. “And now you’re my friend, so call me Danny.”
“Please don’t go. Please don’t go. Please don’t go…” Daniel chants under his breath over and over again. “Please don’t go.”
“Please don’t go,” he delivers incessantly, vigorously, but delicately. “Please, please, please don’t go.” He doesn’t just hold me; he embraces me. His chest is firmly pressed against my back, and I realize then that the loud drumming isn’t coming from the water. It’s coming from him. It’s his heart that’s racing at a dangerous speed, all too rapidly, all too thunderous against me. “Please don’t go.”
I hold her, wishing I could take all her pain away. I hold her like my life depends on it. I’ll hold her until morning if I have to. I’ll keep holding her until I can’t any longer because how the fuck am I supposed to let go?
“These hands aren’t rated E for everyone. But I don’t think you’re a slut, Danny boy. A whore maybe, but not a slut.”
I felt no purpose, no energy to continue moving on when I physically and emotionally felt like I was at a standstill. I kept waiting to feel a spark of life, to remind me that I was worth being on this earth, but as I mulled over that thought, I realized whatever spark I was waiting for to happen, wasn’t ever going to happen.
If you need anything, I’m just a text or call away. I’m so happy you’re here, Jos!
“They kind of insisted.” I nonchalantly shrug. “So did I,” he counters. “Do I need to beg on my knees to make it happen?”
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind running back to my house. It’s not that far.” “Do you really want to do that?” “I will if I have to, but I’ll do whatever you want me to do.” “I just want you to be safe.” A smile so fucking warm and sweet blooms on his face, inciting the flame to grow. “Then I’ll stay.”
“Don’t feel obligated to come. I might be up for a while.” “Then it’s a good thing I have no plans this weekend. And it’s not an obligation because I want to be there with you.” My heart patters. “Okay.”
I’m here for you. I see you. You’re not alone. I’m so happy you’re here, Jos!
“I got you,” I gently say, keeping my gaze on his apprehensive one. “I promise, Danny.”
“Sto facendo di tutto per non baciarti in questo momento.” I lift a brow, holding back a smile. “Well? You know I have no idea what that means.” He stares at me for a long beat, his amber eyes holding me in place and burning me up. “I said, I hope you’re ready to eat.”
I hope you enjoy, and I’m so happy you’re here! With love, Garcia
“Honey, I’m home!” Daniel greets and I’m met with the same playful smile when he enters the kitchen. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Is it really out of your system? It’s not out of mine.
“Nothing you say is stupid. Unless you’re calling yourself hot.”
“There’s nothing to think about. Josefine, I like you as you are. You’re smart and a smart-ass.” She glares but smiles a little bigger at that. “You’re resilient. Strong. A fighter. You. You have a lot of great qualities. Don’t ever let anyone believe you don’t because you do.” I pause, really imagining Josie being my wife. Mine forever. Whoa. “And I also like taking care of you. I like doing things for you, so we’re good. But just so you know, once we’re married, you can’t divorce me, Jos. I’m serious.”
“My heart begs for you.” “Maybe it’s heartburn?”
“You know I love a good holiday.” He sets the gift bag on the sectional, drops his duffle on the floor, and stands in front of me. “Holiday? I don’t think there’s a holiday today.” “It’s Josie said I’m Her Boyfriend Day. This is one the biggest holidays of them all. So naturally I had to get my girlfriend these.”
I watch the jellyfish rhythmically and gracefully drift back and forth. I stare hard and long enough until my vision clouds and the colors inside the tank mesh together. But my brain doesn’t feel as muddled as my vision because my thoughts of Daniel come alive. “I miss you,” I murmur. “I missed you too.” I cease in my spot, but my heart takes off at the familiar voice. “Hi, Jos.”
I don’t stagger or stall because I need to be close to her. There’s a deep, aching yearning in my bones and my cells, and every molecule inside my body that pulses, prays and craves to be next to her.
“You know, you are loving. Don’t ever feel like you’re not. I don’t need you to be loud about loving me or do big gestures to show me that you do. I know that you do, in the way you hold me, how you see me, how you let me in, how you accept me for me. You are loving, Josefine, and I’m privileged to be the one you choose to love.”
“This is official.” “What do you mean by that?” “You’re pretty much part of the family. You really can’t leave me now. If my Dad asked you personally, that means we’re married. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.”
You make the world brighter and better! I’m so happy you’re here! With love, Jos<3
“Daniel?” “Yeah?” “I’m so happy we’re here.” She seals the space between our lips.