Daniel was watching Annika, his eyes wary. He had heard everything Naya had told her.
Annika reached out and laid her hands on either side of his face, standing on her toes to reach. “I’m not rebelling. Maybe I datedStevenas an act of rebellion. But I’m with you because I love you.” She pulled his face down to her, gently sliding her lips over his. “I’m with you because you are incredible. Because now that I have you, I don’t want to be without you. I can’t even remember what my life was like without you. I love you.” She breathed the words into his mouth, kissing him harder, closing the space between their bodies, willing him to find in her kiss whatever he needed to believe her.
It was completely true. She did love him, and he was the one for her. Her judgment was not off. This felt right, the way teaching felt right—like it was a part of her. Daniel was a part of her.
Daniel pulled back. “But your family—”
“Is being unreasonable. They don’t even know you.” She smiled. “Nilay thinks you’re the coolest.”
“What about her?” He motioned at the door.
“You mean the girl who is considering leaving the man who adores her because she can’t stand not being accepted immediately? She likes you. She doesn’t like the idea of you.”
Ravi’s agitated voice and Naya’s sob broke through. Daniel’s gaze flicked toward the door, then back to Annika.
“For the past five years, I have cut myself off from getting close to anyone. I went to work and I slept. That was it. I even cut myself off from my own heart because it was too painful to feel anything.” He caressed the side of her face, his rough calluses stroking her skin. “You heal me. To say that I love you doesn’t even begin to describe it.” He sighed and glanced at the door, Naya and Ravi still arguing on the other side of it. “But I can’t take you away from your family.”
“You won’t. We’ll work on them. You’ll see. My parents are reasonable people.”
Daniel widened his eyes at her.
“Deep down.” She grinned into his hand. “Way deep down. But you’ll see. I’m not rebelling—I’ve got no reason to. I love you, too. Or didn’t you hear me tell my parents? That has to be enough for now.”
“It’s more than enough.” Daniel grinned as he finally leaned down to kiss her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
DANIEL
HEHADPROMISED. There was no reason he couldn’t do this. He pulled into the parking lot of Chase Creek Elementary. He was just unnerved by Annika finding that paper heart last week. He parked the bike and removed his helmet, involuntarily holding his breath against the odor of lavender that he remembered. He climbed off the bike, still not breathing, and leaned against it. He had purchased the motorcycle when he and Sheila divorced. Everyone thought he was going through some kind of self-destructive, risk-taking phase. The truth was much less exciting. Men with families needed cars. Men without families did not.
He finally drew breath, the cloying scent of lavender filling his nostrils and sending him back in time. His head spun and nausea claimed him as he spiraled into the past and watched as a man and his young daughter entered the building.
The little girl able to hold only three of his fingers in her little hand.
No. He shut his eyes against the memory. Annika. He loved her and she loved him, and that would give him the strength to go into the building and keep his promise to her. But his legs wouldn’t move, and he couldn’t open his eyes.
He wasn’t exactly sure how long he’d stood there, but the next thing he became aware of was a familiar hand on his. Annika. Already, he could recognize her touch.
“Daniel?”
He slowly opened his eyes, and his gaze landed on those warm brown eyes he’d fallen in love with, and he exhaled, relaxing in an instant. His calm was fleeting, as he realized what had happened. And who was with her. His heart ratcheted up as he recognized Annika’s father andSajan.
Great. Not only had he failed by not being able to go in, but he had actually helped Sajan score points. Not that this was a game.
“Daniel, are you okay?” Annika narrowed her eyes at him.
He flicked his gaze away from where Sajan was observing him with obvious concern, and Annika’s father had his lips pursed in righteous disappointment. He focused on the woman he loved. Whom he had just let down.
“I missed it, didn’t I?”
She nodded and shrugged, her focus never leaving him. Her brow was furrowed and her mouth pursed as she darted her eyes over him, trying to see what was broken.
“So, no. I’m not okay.” He turned his full attention on her. Forget the observers. “I’m sorry—I had every intention of doing this for you. But I got here, and that damn lavender—”
She shook her head. “No, Daniel, I’m the one who should be sorry, pushing you to do this when you weren’t ready. Coming back here—” she waved her hand “—would challenge anyone in your position. I’m really sorry.”
He had been utterly convinced that he would be able to go into that building. That his love for Annika would give him what he needed to take those steps.
