Page 21 of If You Love Me

“I’m ready,” I said after a beat.

She motioned for me to follow, and this time, I did. We turned a couple of corners before she came to a stop in front of a door. She knocked softly before turning the knob. The door opened in slow motion. There was Evenie, pacing back and forth in front of a window. She chewed her thumb nail, a nervous habit of hers. When she looked up and her eyes landed on mine, she froze, and so did I.

I had to take her in. Her once petite, five-foot-five frame now carried the curves and a little weight but also some muscle. The bob I remembered had been replaced with a head full of natural curls that framed her face. She was still as beautiful as I remembered. Those hazel eyes still captivated me. Those full lips reminded me of why kissing her was my favorite pastime.

“Tyrion,” she whispered.

We vacated our spots and met in the middle of the room, grabbing each other up in a tight hug. I heard the door close behind us, but all I could focus on was holding her. Her tears stained my suit as mine fell into her mass of curls as we clung to each other.

“I’m so happy you’re alive,” I whispered.

She pulled away from me and cupped my face. The beautiful smile I fell in love with spread across her face as she peered up at me.

“You’re still as handsome as I remember,” she said, fingering the beard I’d grown out. “A little older, but still handsome. I like the beard.”

I grinned as I fluffed her hair. “I like the curls.”

We stared at each other for a moment before she pulled my face to hers and kissed me. There was so much love… so much passion and longing in that kiss. It was a kiss I’d waited so many years to feel again.

“Please take me home,” she whispered when she pulled away.

Home… that was when it hit me.

Shit… I did have a fiancée. How did I forget that? Better yet, how the hell was I going to explain Iona to her and her to Iona?

7

Evenie

It felt amazing to be in this car with Tyrion again, holding his hand. I couldn’t help but to touch him after all this time. As he drove, my thoughts drifted to all the road trips we’d taken and how much fun they had been. I’d always pack us a cooler of food just in case we got hungry while he was driving. He’d dubbed me a passenger princess because I’d somehow forget how to drive when he was around.

I peered over at him as he focused on the road. He was still as handsome as he’d always been. His jet black hair was fashioned in a low cut, and his full lips were now encased by a thick, luscious beard. He, too, had put on a little weight and a nice helping of muscle.

He was quiet, and I could only imagine what was running through his head. I was sure the last thing he’d been expecting when he woke up this morning was a call stating I’d been found.

“Tyrion?” I said softly.

He looked over at me with a faint smile. “Yes, love?”

“What’s on your mind? You’re awfully quiet.”

“Nothing, just… this is all so surreal. I can’t believe you’re sitting here, Ev. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“I know what you mean. I never thought I’d see this day. I just knew I was going to die in that house all alone.” I was quiet for a moment before speaking again. “How is Summer Rose?”

He smiled. “Growing up on me.”

He pulled out his phone and showed me his screensaver, which was the two of them. Tears swelled in my eyes as I touched her face. She’d really grown up beautifully. My baby was the perfect mixture of me and her father. She had my hazel eyes and his umber skin. Her kinky coils were as thick as mine were at her age. And her smile… her smile was all her father.

“I can’t believe she’s ten,” I whispered. “Is she spoiled?”

He chuckled. “I plead the fifth.”

“Tyrion.”

“In her defense, it’s not just me. Both grandparents do the most, and let’s not get started on Nina.”

“Nina! Oh my God, how is she? How is Jersey?”

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