A place I'd certainly take her if we could make this work.
She told me about Anna's new boyfriend Beau, who seemed nice despite his questionable comb-over. I told her about the hotel I was staying at, how the mattress was soft, but it wasn't the same as being beside her.
"You could stay here," she offered, then immediately looked like she regretted it. "I mean, if you wanted. Not that you have to. I just?—"
I kissed her to shut her up. "I'd like that."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Her smile was radiant, and I wanted to bottle it. Keep it somewhere safe where nothing could dim it.
We ordered Chinese food when hunger struck again in the evening, eating straight from the containers while sprawled across her couch. Ivy stole my spring rolls, and I retaliated by stealing her crab rangoon. She threatened to ban me from her apartment. I threatened to tickle her until she took it back.
It was easy. Natural. Like slipping into an old coat that still fit perfectly despite the years.
And that terrified me.
Because I knew this was dangerous. Knew that getting close to her again when my life was what it was, when I might have to leave at any moment, was selfish and reckless.
But I couldn't stop myself.
I'd promised her I wouldn't.
The selfish part of me wanted to take her with me when I left. Wanted to find a way to make this work, alliance or no alliance. If we expanded here, if the Donatis agreed to our terms, maybe I could stay. Maybe I could have this.
Have her. Exactly like this.
If not… well, I prayed she'd come with me. But I'd need to open my world up to her.
Keeping her was not something I could do without bringing her into my world. I left to protect her, and it had killed me. Now, I couldn't do it again, even if it was the right thing.
I couldn't bear the thought of her being with anyone else again, marrying another man or anything.
She was mine. From the moment I saw her, I knew I couldn't let her go again.
My phone buzzed on the coffee table, shattering the moment. I reached for it, seeing my father's number flash across the screen.
"Work?" Ivy asked, her tone careful.
"Probably." I stood, moving to the kitchen for privacy. "I need to take this."
She nodded, focusing intently on her dessert like it held the secrets of the universe.
I answered. "Yeah."
"The Donatis want another meeting." My father's voice was clipped. Businesslike. "Tonight. Seven PM. Different location."
My pulse quickened. "They've made a decision?"
"Apparently. Don't fuck this up, Eric."
"I won't."
"See that you don't. Call me after."
The line went dead.
