Page 80 of Wicked

I nod in response, tears welling in my eyes. “I always visit Dad’s grave, and today...” I trail off, unable to get the words out.

“Is that what you want?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does. I’ll fuel the jet if you want to go to Washington.”

My head snaps up, and I search his eyes. Remy is deadly serious. “Really?” It would make me feel better to be able to visit his grave today.

“Of course. It’s a two-hour flight.” He shrugs. “We can spend the night there and return tomorrow.”

I swallow hard and then remember Mia. “Shit, I’m meant to be having lunch with Mia.”

“Forget Mia. Tell her that it’s the anniversary of your dad’s death and that you are going to Washington. She’ll understand.”

I swallow hard and nod. “Okay.” I pull my cell out of my jeans pocket and text Mia exactly that.

Remy makes the call to have the jet ready. Once he’s off the phone, he walks over to me and kisses my forehead. “Go get ready and don’t forget an overnight bag. We’ll leave in half an hour.” His eyes drop to the gift on the counter. “You don’t have to open that.”

It was sweet of him to get me anything, and he didn’t realize how hard this day was for me. I shake my head. “I will.” I pick it up, my hands trembling.

I take a deep breath and slowly peel away the gift wrap.

Inside the box, nestled on a bed of black satin, lies a delicate necklace. Its slender silver chain glimmers under the light, leading to a pendant that takes my breath away. A perfectly fashioned teardrop-shaped diamond sparkles with an intensity that matches how Remy looks at me.

Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, not of sadness but of overwhelming emotion. “Remy, it’s beautiful,” I breathe, more to myself than to him. I look up to see him watching me, a soft smile on his face. I shake my head. “But I can’t accept something so expensive.”

His jaw clenches. “It wasn’t expensive.”

I narrow my eyes. “Are you lying to me?”

The corner of his lips moves up. “It depends on your definition of expensive. When you’re a billionaire, it’s often skewed.”

“Anything over a thousand dollars is expensive.”

He arches a brow. “Stop overthinking and accept it. I bought it foryou.”

I sigh. “Fine.” But I can’t help but smile as he takes the necklace out of the box and clasps it around my neck, his fingers brushing against my skin and leaving fire in their wake.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my words choked with emotion. It’s exquisite, but more than that, it feels personal, intimate even.

He kisses me softly and then pulls back to search my eyes. “You’re welcome. It suits you.” He smiles. “I wanted to get you something special after everything you’ve been through the past few months.” He swallows hard, guilt dazzling in his eyes.

I think he blames himself for Mom’s death, even though she was the one who ran off without protection.

“It means a lot to me,” I breathe as my stomach fills with butterflies. A deep tension falls between us as his eyes darken, and a heaviness settles in the air.

“Good,” he murmurs and then glances at his watch. “The jet will be ready for take-off in an hour.” He spanks my ass playfully. “Go get ready and pack an overnight bag.”

I nod and walk upstairs into our room, feeling lighter than when I woke up and realized the date. My cell buzzes, and Mia’s response appears on my screen.

Mia: I’m so sorry. I should have known. Do you want a travel companion? I can get away if you need me.

I can’t tell her the truth that her dad is taking me. Instead, I explain it’s something I need to do by myself.

Then I head into the walk-in closet, grab an overnight back, pack a few outfits, my toiletries bag, and two pairs of shoes. Once I’ve got everything I need, I jump in the shower quickly and get dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a white tank top.

When I walk back into the bedroom, Remy is waiting for me, casually leaning against the bedroom door. “Ready?”

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