Page 56 of Hot Summer Nights

“Yeah.” I say, my throat so clogged with pride for this brilliant, strong girl who is all mine.

She squeezes my hand and together we walk forward, pushing past her mother as she sputters behind us. I lead her back to the car and open the door for her before I throw the duffle bag in the trunk and get in behind the wheel. I start the car but turn to Ember before I drive off.

“Are you ok?” I ask.

She pauses and I can see her thinking it over.

“Yeah.” She says and she sounds surprised. “It feels good. Like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I won’t have to deal with her ever again. She was my mom but she hasn’t been my family for a long time. I think I’ll be happier without her.”

She smiles over at me before she leans across the console and kisses me.

“Thank you.” She whispers against my lips.

“For what?”

“For giving me the courage to walk away from this toxic relationship. She was destroying me but you helped me see that I deserved more.”

“You deserve everything, Ember.” I say honestly.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I see Ember’s mom come outside over Ember’s shoulder and I put the car in drive before she can try to hurt my girl.

“Let’s go home, Ember.” I say as I drive us away from her mother, this place, and all of the bad memories that it holds for her.

THIRTEEN

Weston

One Month Later…

I holdEmber’s hand tight as we climb up the stairs. We’re back in New York after traveling around Europe for the past month. I took her to see Rome, London, Paris, Madrid and all of the little places in between. It was the best month of my life.

Every day with Ember is the best day of my life. I still can’t believe that she’s mine. I don’t know how I got so lucky but I’m thankful every day for the forces that brought us together and I plan on never letting her go. I finger the velvet box in my pocket with one hand as I pull her tighter against me with the other.

“Where are we going?” She asks as we continue to climb up the stairs.

“Just a little bit further.” I say, secretly.

She smiles up at me and I love how happy and easy going she is. I’ve been planning this surprise for a month now and I want it to be perfect. I had a hell of a time getting the permits all set for this but I know that Ember will love it and watching her face light up with happiness will be worth any headaches I’ve had to deal with to get here.

We never hear from her mother and I don’t want to upset Ember but I heard that the cabin rental that she runs is already going under. I’m not surprised. That woman never did anything, instead forcing her daughter to run and care for the place. Of course, it’s gone to shit now that Ember is gone.

We reach the top of the stairs and I let go of her to unlock the door and push it open. I hold the door for her and she walks past me and out onto the roof. I let the door slam closed behind me as I make my way over to her. I take her hand back in mine and we walk over to the edge together.

We face the water and I kiss her once before I drop to one knee. She gasps and covers her mouth with her free hand and I can see tears already forming in her blue eyes. I smile up at her as I pull the ring box from my pocket.

“Ember Marx, you are the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen in my entire life. You are brave and strong, caring and sweet. Before you everything was gray but since you’ve been in my life, everything is bursting with colors. I love you, Ember. You took a leap of faith when you left your mom and town behind. You left everything you know behind and left with me and now, I’m asking you to jump again. So, Ember, will you marry me?”

I flip the lid of the ring box open to reveal an emerald cut diamond in a platinum setting. I hold my breath as she stares down at me but she has so much love shining in her eyes that I never really doubt that she’ll say yes.

“Yes. Oh my god, Weston, yes.”

I stand and pull her into my arms and she crushes her mouth against mine. I can taste her salty tears on her lips as I push my tongue into her mouth.

“I love you.” She says against my lips when we finally come up for breath.

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