Page 84 of Stay With Me

Charlie has moved over to lean against the wall next to me, and he nods, standing with his hands in his jeans pocket as he watches me.

It’s a lovely card that reads:

Happy birthday, Emily. May this year be filled with as much joy and sunshine as you bring to my life every day. Love, Charlie.

Inside is a one-hundred-dollar gift card to my favorite brick and mortar independent bookstore.

“Charlie, it’s too much. You’ve done so much for me already. A hundred dollars is too much.”

He looks at me curiously, tilting his head, fixing his gaze on me.

“You think that gift card is your whole present?”

I furrow my brow. “Isn’t it?”

“No, Emily. It isn’t. Your main present is the desk.”

“What?” I gasp.

“The desk. I made it for you. It’s yours. Actually, the entire room is for you. I know you haven’t decided if you’re staying yet. But for as long as you’re here, I made this room to be your space. And if you ever leave, the desk and chair are yours.”

My mouth drops open and my vision blurs as tears build up. I can’t stop them from coming—they spill over my eyelids and flow freely down my face.

“Shit. What’s wrong?” Charlie pulls me into his arms and holds me to his chest. “I’m sorry. For whatever I did, I’m sorry.”

I shake my head against his chest. “N-n-nothing is wrong.”

“Tell me why you’re crying then. Please.” The desperation in his voice is so heart wrenching I have to pull it together.

I pull back from him and wipe my eyes on my T-shirt. “Nothing’s wrong.” I sniffle. “I’m just so touched by this. Youseeme. And no one has ever done anything so thoughtful for me. Ever.”

“You deserve all the most beautiful things in life, sunshine.” He leans forward and kisses me on the forehead. “Plus, I couldn’t let Finn upstage me with that garden he designed Shayna for her birthday this year, could I?”

I chuckle and appreciate that he’s trying to lighten the mood, seeing as our friends will be here any minute, and I don’t want to look like I’ve been weeping.

“How about you go upstairs and get changed for the party and I’ll stay down here and get the pizza ordered and some chips set out. Okay?”

“Okay,” I smile at him. “And thank you. I love my present.” I press a kiss to his lips. I’m struck with a desire to drag him over to the reading nook space and show him just how much I love it when the doorbell rings and I startle, jumping.

“Shit! I’m going upstairs.”

I race out of the room, up the stairs, and walk into the guest room I’m supposed to be staying in to get dressed. The sound of Charlie’s laughter follows me, bringing a smile to my face.

An hour later, it’s clear my friends have duped me. This is no small gathering. Rather, almost everyone I love is here to celebrate my birthday. And we aren’t having pizza. I don’t know who arranged it, but the food is all catered by my new favorite Mexican restaurant over in Meadow Creek.

We spend the next several hours eating, drinking, and laughing. And I could not be more grateful for everyone in this room. This last year has been the most difficult of my life and it doesn’t escape me that no matter how much hurt and pain there has been, I am loved by some really wonderful people. That’s more than any woman could hope for.

The only thing that even remotely mars the bliss of the evening is I’m more convinced now that something is off with Trina. She denied it when I asked, but she looks exhausted and on edge, though I think she’s trying to hide it. I know Charlie sees it as well. I’ve seen him watching her several times tonight with a pinched brow and a smile that doesn’t quite meet his eyes.

Enough is enough. I’m worried about my big sister, and I’m worried about how she’ll react to the news about Charlie and me. So, I’m going to insist on us all talking this week. And I’m the only one those two can’t say no to.

CHAPTER32

EMILY

“Please stop pacing. You’re making me nervous now. It’s gonna be fine.”

Charlie doesn’t listen, he just continues to walk back and forth across the living room area as we wait for Trina to arrive.

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