Page 154 of Temporary Vows

“Today.”

My chin trembles and then I'm done. The tears stream down my cheeks and I don't even try to stop them. “Oh my God. But we have work and?—”

“No. I’ll take care of it. You don’t have to worry about work or anything.”

I huff out a laugh. “Really?”

“Yes. For three weeks.”

I squeal and throw myself in his arms. And he just holds me. “This is the best surprise I’ve ever had. Thank you.”

“No. Thank you, Lamb.”

He pulls me even closer and I swear I fall deeper in love with him.

And I know I’ll keep falling and falling.

I always have.

Chapter 34

Elodie

The journey to England was everything I imagined and more. The thrill of it hit the moment we stepped onto the jet.

We arrived the next morning. And that’s when the adventure truly began.

Dorian took me to London first, where we shopped and ate at some of the most incredible restaurants in the city. Then we explored it properly, seeing everything from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul’s Cathedral, the National Gallery, and all the places I’d only ever seen on postcards growing up.

I could hardly believe I was there.

Everything felt like a dream. And that dream only grew bigger with everything we saw and did together.

We spent a week in London before moving on, traveling from the bottom of England all the way up. Dorian made sure we experienced everything each place had to offer, like he was determined to give me every piece of the dream I’d ever had.

Our final stop was Vale Manor in the Cotswold.

We arrived before nightfall yesterday. From the moment the car pulled up outside the manor I understood why he saved this part of the trip for last.

The manor rose up from the rolling hills and woodland in soft honeyed stone, grand yet gentle in its beauty. The effortless elegance took my breath away.

Dorian’s aunt, Maureen called it acottage. It’s anything but.

And the best part was the private woodland access to Wychwood Forest.

We’re there now. Deep in the heart of the woods, walking side by side. Dorian suggested a walk after we finished dinner.

He holds my hand in his, his thumb tracing lazy circles over my knuckles like it’s become habit. I like feeling him and being this close. We spent most of the day inside the manor, so it’s nice to venture outside together and take in more of the beauty.

Through the canopy of trees, the sun hangs low, casting amber threads across the forest floor.

The forest feels enchanted, like it was pulled from one of the fantasy kingdoms in the Lord of the Rings. The rest of the world falls away the deeper we go. And I love it.

I absolutely love it.

I feel like I strayed into a dream.

Before this—Dorian’s surprise—I planned to go visit England in the summer. Finally, I had money to do make the trip. I was going to wait until school closed. And I was either going to travel by myself or persuade Skyler to accompany me.