Page 90 of Dirty Little Secrets
“Try?” she whispers, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Try, what?”
I smile at her. “Try and let me in. Try and let this happen. I-I have big plans, Emery. Plans for us. Plans for a future together.”
“Plans?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. “What kinds of plans?”
I take a deep breath. There’s a difference between hiding and moving on. I know that now.
“I want to leave all of this behind, Emery,” I say, gesturing to the city below. “I want to start over.”
She furrows her brows. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” I say, turning to her, “I want to leave my old life behind. All of this fell on my lap. It was never my decision. I never wanted to run Cavanaugh Industries. I wanted to travel and paint and just…live. I want to be honest with you. With myself.”
“And what about me?” she asks, her voice trembling.
“You, Emery,” I say, taking her hand in mine, “you’re my future. You’re my everything. And I want to build a life with you. A life of honesty and trust. A life where we can be happy. Truly happy.”
“Those are pretty words, Damon.” Emery shakes her head, cheeks damp. “But you can’t just run away. It doesn’t work like that. You have a job. You have responsibilities. What you want is a fairytale. It’s not reality.”
“I’m not running away,” I state, believing every word I say. “People run when they’re afraid.” I peer deep into her eyes. “I am not afraid, Emery. I’m not runningawayfrom something. I’m runningtowardsomething. Happiness.” I offer her a warm smile. “With you.”
“I see,” she hums, turning away from me. She pulls out her cell phone, tapping on the screen.
I force myself not to get discouraged by her quiet reaction. I can’t gauge what she’s thinking. I can’t tell if she’s open to the idea of a future with me. But there’s nothing more I can do. I feel light. Despite the heavy silence in the air. I feel light.
As the helicopter soars higher and higher, I feel the weight of my past slip away. For the first time in years,I feel like I’m moving forward. Like I have a purpose. The city fades away beneath us, replaced by rolling hills and wide open fields.
“Where are we going?” She breaks the comfortable silence and looks around. “This doesn’t look like New York.”
“I have a little mountain villa in Vermont,” I reply, adjusting the navigation systems. “I thought we could spend the night there. You said you like the quiet.”
She blinks. “But what about work tomorrow?”
I chuckle. “Your boss has given you the day off.”
She smiles despite herself. “You didn’t mention this was anovernightdate.” Emery tilts her head. “What if I say no?”
I shrug. “Then we turn around.” I glance at her. “Areyou saying no?”
She purses her lips. “I’ve never been to Vermont.”
“No? It's beautiful.” I point toward the northeast. “My place is just over that ridge. Now’s the time to tell me to turn around.”
Emery doesn’t open her mouth. Instead, she leans forward, gaze sweeping across the white mountain peaks.
She remains silent, lost in thought, and I give her the space she needs to process everything. After a few minutes, I spot the villa in the distance, and I lower the helicopter onto the landing pad adjacent to the mansion. The blades come to a stop, and I turn to Emery, who’s staring at my winter residence.
"This is your house?" she asks, taking in all the twinkling lights and seasonal decor. “It’s very…festive.” She gives me a playful frown. “Did you do this for me?”
I blink at her. “You don’t like it?”
A coy grin tugs at her lips. “Just because I’m a woman, you assume I love Christmas?”
I inwardly cringe. “I didn’t?—”
“Relax.” Emery releases a melodic chuckle. “While your logic is flawed and somewhat sexist, you’re in luck.” She playfully sighs. “I’m a sucker for Christmas.”
I smirk. “So, you love it then?”
