Hollie looks at me like she’s gonna cry. ‘Honestly? I think it might be for the best.’
I nod lightly in agreement and lean over, grabbing my jacket from the back of the couch. I follow Hollie, but I stop in front of her father. He’s put down the tray of drinks, so I hold out my hand to him. ‘It was nice to meet you, sir,’ I say. ‘Sorry I couldn’t stick around.’
He mumbles something at me before I follow Hollie toward the front door.
Outside, my jacket on, my helmet under my arm, we say nothing until I reach my motorcycle. Under the spotlights in the driveway, Hollie keeps her eyes to the ground at our feet.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she whispers. ‘That was mortifying. I should have contacted my dad. We could have met him elsewhere. It was a mistake to introduce you to her.’
I tip her chin. There are tears in her eyes.
‘It’s not your fault,’ I tell her. Because none of this political bullshit is. ‘And I want you to know… in case there was any doubt. Echo didn’t ask me to date you.’
Hollie puts her arms around me. Buries her face in my shoulder. I brush my lips against her ear. ‘You and me…’ I tell her. ‘We were meant to be. From the first time I kissed you in that closet, I knew we shared a connection. And now that you’re back in my life, I have no intention of letting you go again. Just so we’re clear. I love you, Hollie Palmer. From the very bottom of my heart. And I never told anybody that before. I never felt this way about anybody before. I thought I’d always be, like, this lone wolf until you crashed back into my life. Now I have a mate. So, forget Evelyn Wallace, she can go to hell. I’ll figure out what to say to her later. All that matters is how we feel about one another. This changes nothing. Okay, kid?’
Hollie pulls back. Her eyes are still swimming. ‘I love you,’ she sniffs, wiping her face. ‘It’s always been you.’
‘Hollie,’ I whisper. I slide my palm around the back of her neck. Pull her toward me.
Our kiss is everything. Just like the other night. Electric. Another affirmation. A contract between us. I’m hers and she’s mine. Nobody else’s. And I’m happy because I know she knows it too.
‘I’ll never love another,’ I tell her.
She’s full-on crying now. She nods her head in agreement. I kiss her tears away.
‘Will you go back to Rapture?’ she asks.
I nod my head. ‘Should I come back for you? Later?’
‘I’ll see how this conversation goes. I should talk to my dad tonight. Besides, it’s getting late.’
‘Okay, but first thing tomorrow, I’m coming to get you.’
Through her tears, a smile tugs at her mouth. I kiss her one more time.
‘I’ll talk to Echo, all right?’ I tell her. ‘Tomorrow we can start looking at apartments, too.’ I glance back at the house. ‘Maybe don’t mention that.’
‘I won’t,’ she says, and her brows pull together. I worry for her, being there tonight.
‘So, see you tomorrow?’ I say.
‘I love you,’ is her reply. ‘See you tomorrow.’
‘Don’t let Evelyn Wallace make you believe any of her BS.’
‘I won’t, I promise.’
‘You’re sure you’ll be all right?’
‘Yes. I need to face this. My dad can take me home.’
I let go of her and put on my helmet. Start the engine.
Then I’m outta there. I glance back through my visor. My heart aches at leaving Hollie behind.
Right now, it feels as though I can live without anything, even my motorcycle.
But not her.
