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Isaiah was safe. No one in the world could make me tell them what had happened at that cabin in the mountains. Because now, I was his wife.
Thinking about her was painful. Each beat of my heart pricked. My lungs burned. I’d married Genevieve when my soul was held captive by a ghost.
For him, for what he’d done for me, I’d make cookies every day.
“They’re constellations.” Some fit between the knuckles. Others dipped down to the softer skin between my fingers. “Why constellations?” I turned my attention to my sandwich. “For someone I used to know who loved the stars.”
It was the first time in a long, long damn time I’d truly been at ease. She did that. I glanced around the apartment, spotting a candle on the kitchen countertop. There was a tiny potted aloe plant in the windowsill. She’d made this a safe space. For us both.
“Why was that hard for you?” she whispered. Because you’re you. She was important. She was special and precious.
“I’m glad we’re friends.” “Me too. Now sleep.” “You’re my best friend.”
I’d always thought some other woman would come along and be the one to heal him. She’d be the one to put light in his eyes. But then months had passed. Feelings had grown. He didn’t need another woman to break through his walls. Isaiah needed me.
I didn’t think he’d ever get over Shannon, but the way he looks at Genevieve, there’s love there.”
Genevieve had the power to destroy me completely. My life would be in ruins when she walked away. This kiss wouldn’t change the future. I shoved those thoughts away. And I kissed my wife.
Isaiah looked in the mirror and saw everlasting broken pieces, but maybe my broken pieces would fit with his. Together, maybe we’d make a whole.
I don’t deserve you.” “Take me anyway.”
We curled together. My head rested on his chest. His hand closed over mine on his stomach. Our legs intertwined. The pieces fit.
Last night, he’d let down his guard. Last night, I’d fallen asleep in his arms. And last night, I’d stopped pretending I wasn’t in love with my husband.
Genevieve looked at me and saw the man I’d once been. The man who’d laughed easy. The man who hadn’t appreciated his freedom. The man who’d needed a woman like Genevieve to straighten him out—though apparently, I was still that man.
I came in case you needed me.” I let my head fall against his shoulder. “I always need you.” And always would.
“I won’t be here to walk you down the aisle. Doing my best while I can to make sure the man you meet at the end of it deserves to be standing there.”
“Proud of you, girl.” Draven’s whisper hit my ear at the same time the tears fell down my cheeks. “So damn proud.” I smashed my face harder into his chest. “Thanks, Dad.” His arms squeezed tight at the name. “Goddamn, I wish things were different.”
Then his lips dropped to mine and all was lost. My worries. My fears. My heart.
No one was taking Isaiah from me. There’d be no next in line. I was keeping him.
“Do you think, someday, the past will stop defining who you are?”
“Isaiah, you’re the sexiest, most handsome man I’ve seen in my life. And your heart? When you let me in, you literally steal my breath away.”
My heart wasn’t hers anymore. I’d given it to Genevieve.
“They found a way to be happy and made it through the grief. Don’t bring it to their doorstep.”
“I know, baby. But this apology, is it for them? Or is it for you?”
“I don’t deserve you, V, but I can’t give you up.” If she wanted to go, I wouldn’t stand in her way. But if she left, I’d never be the same again. Genevieve’s eyes flooded. “I don’t want to give you up either.” A smile spread across my face—it only made her cry harder. “So you’ll stay my wife?” She sniffled, swiping at the tears on her cheeks. Then she leaned over, stretching to brush a kiss to my lips. “Yes.”
Isaiah’s eyes had been so haunted once. So dark and lifeless. Tonight, they were as bright as stars. My husband. My life. “I love you too.”
