“It’s okay, I don’t really talk about it,” he said quietly. She pulled her hand away as he seemed to find his words. “It’s...” he trailed off, taking a deep breath. “When you asked me what motivates me—it’s her. It’s why I still live at home. Farhan has his own place, but I stayed so I could look after her and help with medical bills. It’s why my dad works late; we tag-team so she’s not alone for too long.”
She was even more shocked. She’d had no idea.
He had been right before; perhaps she wouldn’t have believed him if he had told her the first time she had asked. She might have thought he was trying to make himself appear as better than he was, to trick her into thinking he was a good son and a good man.
But now she had seen him, she had met his mother, and she knew he was a good son.
A good man.
“Thank you for telling me,” she said. “And if there’s ever anything I can do, let me know. Please.”
That earned her a small smile. “You don’t have to take care of everyone, Emmeline,” he said. For some reason, him saying her name sent a shiver down her spine.
“I know,” she said. “But I like caring for people who are important, and she’s your mom.”
The words were out before she could stop them, and he paused. Admitting that his mother was important was a roundabout way of admitting thathewas important to her, as well.
Which was scary. She bit her lower lip, thinking he might take the opportunity to tease her, but he didn’t. Instead, he only looked touched, as if her words meant more than she could ever imagine.
“Thank you,” he said, voice soft. “I appreciate that.”
He leaned forward, and her breath caught in her throat. She held herself still, waiting to see what he would do. His gaze flicked down to her mouth, but at the last second, he turned, kissing her cheek.
It was the gentlest brush of his lips against her skin, hardlyanything intense, especially considering that they had slept together the first night they met, but there was something so tender about the gesture.
Even the briefest touch was enough to set her skin aflame and her heart pounding. His lips lingered, and they stayed anchored in that moment, snow falling softly around them as if they were two figures frozen together in a snow globe.
When he pulled back, she missed him immediately. His throat moved as he swallowed. She could tell he wanted to kiss her, and she wanted that, too, but she was being careful.
Clearing her throat, she called Torch. Sure enough, her dragon appeared almost immediately, swooping down with Motu in her paw. The baby immediately flew toward her, and she hugged Motu.
Torch had been unhappy to leave Emmeline at Luke’s, and some of that concern was still etched onto her scaly face—until she saw how comfortable Emmeline was now. The tension eased from Torch’s stance, curiosity entering her purple eyes.
Emmeline looked at Torch, then at Luke, and Torch understood. The dragon sat, then lowered her head in front of him.
“She’s sorry,” Emmeline explained.
“It’s okay,” Luke said, walking toward her. He lifted his hand and petted her head. When he did, Torch twitched, irritated. “My hands are cold,” he said, pulling away.
Torch’s eyes widened with recognition, and she bounced, excited. She bumped her head against Luke’s chest. He almost went flying, but he steadied himself, laughing.
Emmeline smiled fondly. “I think she remembers you, now,” she said. His face brightened.
“I remember you, too,” he said, petting Torch happily.
“Don’t worry,” she told him. “She finally learned not to warm people’s hands with fire.”
Chapter 22
Week four of six came to an end, bringing them to the new year.
New Year’s was always bittersweet for Emmeline. She looked back and thought of all the things she had wanted to happen but hadn’t come true; all the things she had hoped to achieve but hadn’t accomplished; the way time continued to move but she didn’t.
Because her birthday was right after New Year’s, they always cut a cake for her at the New Year’s Eve party, and that always made her feel both happy and like she was having an existential crisis.
She was turning thirty, now, and she had imagined something far different for herself: a partner, a family of her own, the way Millie and Aiden and most of her other cousins had. If she had to spend one more New Year’s Eve single, she was well and truly going to lose her mind. Then again, she had said the same thinglastNew Year’s Eve...
At the same time, she knew there was a great deal to be thankful for, that shehadalso accomplished so much thatshe could be proud of. The New Year was also a fresh start, the entire year spread ahead of her like a blank canvas. There were endless possibilities and so much to be hopeful for.
