Page 93 of Healing Hearts
In no time, things get even more heated between us, a familiar rhythm we both remember and understand. Before wiggling out of my panties, I glance around the lake, but there’s no one else out here today.
Trent releases himself, and he guides me down, my dress billowing around us. We both groan with relief as we connect, and Trent frames my face, kissing me gently as I start to move.
“You know when you said in my shop that I healed your heart?” he says, his voice rough with emotion.
“I meant it,” I say.
“You healed mine too in a way I didn’t even know I needed.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
And then we’re moving together, seeking connection and release, a dance I’m sure we’ll be doing for the rest of our lives.
Epilogue
Trent
I’ve been back living with Emily and Amir for four weeks. While the shop is gradually getting back to pre-arrest business, it’s not there yet. Once a week, I’m seeing Amber, which Grady is still paying for. As much as it hurts my pride to have Grady pay for the sessions, I’m keeping track of the cost, and I intend to pay him back. No matter what, I’m not stopping, because I can recognize how much of a difference it’s making for me and for my relationship with Emily. Before, I kept a lot of it inside, happy to help her with her tough days, but unable to give her the same trust. Now, I don’t hesitate as much to share my bad days with her.
I didn’t think it would be possible for me to be happier, to be more content than I was before the arrest, but it turns out openness and honesty—knowing exactly where you stand with someone—breeds more positives.
“Trent,” Emily calls from the bottom of the stairs. “We’re going to be late for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Sorry!” I call down, grabbing my belt and looping it through my pants as I hustle down the stairs. Technically, there’s norehearsal, but Maggie and Grady decided they wanted a pre-wedding dinner with everyone involved in the wedding. Which is good, because I had a last-minute client show up when we were closing.
Em’s been really patient with my hours, since I’ve been trying not to turn away anyone willing to give my shop a chance. But that means sometimes I’m running a bit late for things.
I kiss her temple when I reach the kitchen, and I give Amir a high five. Then I take in Emily’s dress—a new pale green one—and I can’t help thinking about where it’s going to land later.
“Hey, Em,” I say when she’s grabbing her purse off the table.
She glances back at me.
“Have I told you today that I love you?”
“You’ve told her like a million times,” Amir says with a huff.
“Hey, you know I love you too, little buddy,” I say.
“You love everyone.” Amir throws up his hands in a dramatic fashion.
“But I love you two the most.” I ruffle his hair.
Emily wraps her arm around my waist and leans into me. “I’ll never get tired of hearing it,” she says to me. “Don’t listen to him.”
I kiss the top of her head, and we climb into my truck together. On the way to the restaurant, I hold Em’s hand in mine. There’s still a little part of me that rears up sometimes. Tries to tell me I don’t deserve this. That someday she’ll realize she could do better. But then I just remind myself of all the ways Emily shows me I’m enough. All the ways I’m working to be the best version of myself.
At the restaurant, everyone is already there, mingling. We say “hello” to Pasha as we pass him at the front door.
Inside, I go to the bar to get Em some water, Amir some chocolate milk, and a beer for me. When I see who else is at the bar, I hesitate for a beat, but I can’t avoid her forever.
“Lila,” I say, when I step up beside her.
“Trent,” she says, and then she turns toward me. “Guess we’re stuck together tomorrow.”
“For part of it, at least. You going to be okay?”
