Page 88 of Secondhand Secrets

A week later:

Ally stepped aside from Chip’s front door and made room for her dad with his arms wrapped around her last box of art supplies. Her mother trailed behind carrying the small rack Ally used to house some of her paints, this final parade past signifying that, as of now, Ally was all moved into Chip’s place in Harlow.

On the driveway, Chip slammed the tray of her dad’s pickup shut and his gaze caught hers in confirmation. She was his. All his.

His every step toward her picked up pace now, his smile growing until he wrapped her in his arms and swung her around, raining countless, quick kisses about her face. “You’re mine now.”

She laughed at the cartoonist voice he used. Laughed at the euphoric truth in his words. She was his. And he was hers. No more distance to separate them. No more family pressures to keep them apart.

“Well”—her dad’s heavy footsteps preceded his voice—“that’s us done.”

He strolled over and clapped Chip on the shoulder, the strain over his cheeks denoting sadness while the light in his eyes held pride. His little girl had grown up. She’d moved on. And with a guy her parents had loved almost as long as they’d loved her.

“Happy unpacking, Ally Bear.” Her mom drew in and caught Ally in a hug. “And don’t you two get into any more trouble, okay?”

She slid back, her gaze bouncing between Ally and Chip, her face exuding the same forlorn happiness as Ally’s dad. Though Ally had no plans for problems with Chip, avoiding the Syndicate’s notice wasn’t so guaranteed.

Ramos had already intercepted whispers on the Syndicate’s main player, Rudolph Manzinni, repealing his past hands-off approach when it came to Harlow. Mark had gone into hiding, perhaps overseas, the chance of him still seeking revenge not over yet. All while multiple government agencies worked to intercept any and all Syndicate plans.

Chip drew in and hugged Ally’s mom. “See you Sunday?”

Her mom stepped back and leveled a wink. “You betcha. It’ll be just like old times.”

While her mom wandered outside, her dad doled out one last embrace to Ally and then followed suit, her dad’s truck soon rumbling out the drive, leaving Ally and Chip to start their new life in this house. Together.

Chip pushed the front door closed and then pulled Ally in for a long embrace, one that took stock of this new reality, the house indeed seeming to hold a reverent quiet.

“You sure we can fend for ourselves?” She smiled up at him, loving the strength his body imbued in her moment of uncertainty.

“We’ll do better than that.” His hand snaked around her bare waist from under her cropped pink halter top, and he pressed a line of kisses down the side of her neck. “We’re destined for greatness, Ally Bear.”

She laughed at his use of her mom’s pet name for her, as well as one other thing. “Destined, huh?” She leaned back and raised a brow. “I thought you said you don’t believe in karma, fate, or voodoo?”

“Oh, I still don’t, but”—he dropped another kiss to her lips, then pulled away, his tug at her hand taking her with him—“if there were such a thing, you and I are most definitely fated for each other.”

“And greatness. Don’t forget, we’re destined for greatness.” She found herself nearly out of breath as he pulled her through the living room and into the kitchen.

“Starting now, in fact.” He picked her up, garnering a light squeal from her as he sat her on the countertop, the height and cold white marble a shock. “I have to ask you something, first.”

Her heartbeat lifted to a fast drum, but she bit her lower lip, withholding questions she struggled to voice, anyway.

“I want to make all your dreams come true.” His gaze searched hers, his open expression hinting vulnerability while his eyes still held a cheerful light. “You know that, right?”

Her mouth ran momentarily dry, but she nodded and answered, “Is that the question?”

He let loose with a chuckle and shook his head. “No. But if you lean back ever so slightly and rummage through that fruit bowl over there, you might just find what I’m referring to. Something that belongs to you.”

She narrowed her eyes, and her pulse rose to a loud rumble. Her muscles felt heavy and slack, prompting her to stall any action.

Something small enough to fit in a fruit bowl?

Something meant for her?

Not a ring.

I’m not quite ready for a ring!

Her jaw sprung open, and his stare latched to her reaction, the need to escape his notice her motivation to lean back and do as told.

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