“Ew!” Her voice whined out, and she shook out her arms as though trying to shake off bugs crawling on her skin.
“What? What is it?” Jenkins jumped on high alert looking for what was causing her disgust.
“You just cracked your neck. That is so gross!” She gave him a half smile and nudged his shoulder with hers.
Jenkins rolled his eyes. “Oh and your knuckle cracking is okay?” She responded by bringing her hand up to his ears and cracking a few fingers. His head automatically jolted away.
“Okay, fair enough. I surrender.” Pamela laughed and dropped her hands into her lap.
“I had an amazing dress I was going to wear to the party tonight. I guess we will have to find another event to wear it to.” Pamela stacked her fists on top of each other and rested her chin atop.
“Maybe we can have our own party here.” He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth, but he smiled at her when she perked up, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.Really, I want to take you somewhere safe and far away from here.
“Really? You’d do that?” She twisted in her seat and rested her hand on his thigh.
A jolt of electricity ran through him, starting from where her hand touched his leg.Oh my God, you have no idea what I would do for you. Ask, and it’s yours.
“Yeah, but we have to stay inside and away from windows.”
Pamela kept her hand on his leg and furrowed her brows as she considered his offer. “Deal. I’ll ask Greta to get some things together. Meet me in the library in fifteen minutes.”
Before he could say another word, she dashed off towards Greta’s room. He collected his suit and duffle bag from the foyer and headed towards the guest wing. The shopping bags laid in a haphazard pile from them being rushed inside earlier. His stomach dropped as anxiety chewed away at him.
He looked back in the direction of Greta’s room.She’s fine. There is security everywhere. I will see her again in fifteen minutes.
He was dressed and ready in five minutes. Once he was in the library, Greta appeared and lit the fireplace. The fall chill outside crept inside, and he welcomed the warm blaze. Two bottles ofwine and two glasses were placed on the small table in front of the couch.
His breathing accelerated with every passing minute, and he kept glancing at his watch.If she isn’t here at the fifteen-minute mark, I’ll go looking for her.He pulled the sleeve of his suit over his watch and stared at the flames, allowing the warmth to wash over him.
At the fifteen-minute mark, he turned to leave, and as he looked up to the doorway, Pamela entered. His breath hitched in his throat.
She wore a gold satin dress that was a halter turtleneck top. The back scooped down low, and the gown cascaded down to her feet. The light from the fire made the dress look as though she herself was on fire as the reflection of the flames flickered and danced on the material. She did a little spin to allow Jenkins to see her entire outfit. Her blond hair was pulled up into a soft, low bun, and it looked as though she only wore mascara on her bare face.
“How do I look?” She finished her twirl and held her hands out before dropping them to her sides. Jenkins brought his hand to his chest and clutched it. His heart pounded, and he could feel it all the way up in his ears.
“Pamela, you look stunning.”
She smiled and shyly looked down at the ground. “Thank you. You look very handsome as well. It’s a shame everyone at the party is missing out on this.”
“I disagree, because now I don’t have to share you with anyone.” His voice dropped low and protective. Pamela rolled her eyes playfully and moved around the chairs. She picked up one of the wine bottles and glanced at the label.
“I’m not going to pretend like I know what anything on this label means. Which one should we open?” She asked and heldup both bottles for him to inspect. Jenkins chuckled and reached out for the white wine in her hand.
“Let’s do this one. It is a nicely-chilled chardonnay,” he said and popped the cork off.Thank you, Greta for pre-corking these,he thought as he poured two glasses. He handed one to her, and she delicately lowered herself into one of the chairs facing the fireplace.
He held out his glass, and they clinked their glasses together.
“Wait! Shouldn’t we say a toast first?” Pamela clasped her hands around her glass and looked at him expectantly.
Jenkins sighed. “I’m not usually one for making speeches, but considering the turn of events tonight, I guess I can say a few words.” He cleared his throat, though a new lump formed and his eyes stung.
“For many years, I felt alone in life, like I didn’t fully belong. But these last six months have shown me that there is a chance for me to finally find a place to call home. Because being around you, I finally feel understood and seen, and to me that’s how I know I finally belong. With you. Thank you for being you, and cheers to whatever the future holds.”
And cheers to Darla being found so that Pamela is safe forever.
Pamela wiped a tear and tried to clap against her glass, causing the liquid to slosh around before she jumped up and pressed herself against him. Their lips met and, breathing her in, Jenkins forgot all about his worries. He wrapped his arm around her waist. The world fell away, and they were the only two people who mattered.
They parted and rested their foreheads together.
