Page 28 of Last Summer

“Losing Simon or me losing my memory of him?”

“Both, if I’m being honest. Can you be patient with me?” His voice catches on the last word.

She stands and Damien scoots back his chair. She crawls onto his lap. His arms snake around her. She cradles his jaw. “Yes, I can. But Davie said something last night that’s been bothering me.”

“What’s that?”

“Is it true that my pregnancy was an accident?”

Damien’s eyes close. He drops his forehead on Ella’s shoulder.

Ella’s fingers sift through his hair. “Damien?”

He nods, the movement almost imperceptible.

Ella presses her face into Damien’s hair and lets his admission sink in. Simon was a mistake.

“Why didn’t I get an abortion? You didn’t want children.”

“But you did,” he says, lifting his head. His eyes meet hers. His fingertips caress her cheek. “You were scared when you first told me, but you couldn’t hide your happiness. I couldn’t take that away from you.”

“But you didn’t want Simon.”

“I did. I loved him. And now I’m going to miss every milestone that I’ll never get to experience with him. God, El.” He presses his lips to her forehead, keeps them there.

“I’m so sorry to put you through this,” she says through tears.

“No. God, no, Ella. This isn’t your fault. I’ve already told you that. We’re in this together. I’m right here with you. We’re a team.”

A team. Then why does she feel so alone?

It’s the memory loss, she reasons. She’s confused.

“I love you,” she says, hugging him tighter.

“I love you, too. So much. I don’t know what I’d have done had I lost you, too. You’re the most important person in my life. The only family I care about. You’re my world, Ella. I only want you to be happy. I’ll do anything to ensure your happiness.”

“I know.” She kisses him softly.

Later, Damien turns in early with her, his body curved around hers. Ella quickly falls asleep, and when she wakes, he’s already gone.

Damn meds, she thinks, disappointed she slept through his goodbye kiss. But he left a note, as he’s been known to do. This one comes with a bakery bag from Luna’s.

E.

I picked up a muffin for you on my run.

Take it easy today. Rest.

Don’t lose faith in me.

I love you.

D.

Don’t lose faith in him. Of course she won’t. What an odd thing for him to write.

CHAPTER 7

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