Page 106 of The Image of You

“I don’t remember her dying, I just know she’s gone.”

One lone tear dripped down her cheek, and I couldn’t stop myself. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her to my chest. She melted into me with a small sob, and for the first time since the night at the airport months ago, I held my girl. I breathed her in, feeling that intense satisfaction I got only when I was close to her.

I let her cry, holding and rocking her. It was only for a minute, but it was exactly what I needed. The way she clung to me, I knew she still needed me. Her love for me was still in there somewhere. I had to find the key to let it out.

When she drew back, I wiped the tears away with my thumb.

“Will you go for a walk with me again tomorrow?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

This time, my smile couldn’t be contained. It was wide and joyful and grew bigger when she returned it. For one brief second, my Ally was in front of me.

“I have to go.”

I stepped back, fighting the urge to kiss her. To beg her to remember me. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Meet me in the coffee shop around ten?”

She nodded and began to walk away, then turned back. “Adam?”

“Yes?”

“I won’t tell them. I don’t know why they don’t like you, but I do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I like you too, Ally.”

Then she was gone.

* * *

I was tense all night, apprehensive that something would happen. I wondered what she was thinking. Feeling. If our conversation had sparked any memories. I worried that she would slip up and her mother would find out I was back in town. I had spoken with Sean, who informed me that, yes, he had received a few calls regarding my whereabouts—one especially sticking out in his mind since it was a man and he asked a lot of questions. Sean told me he did exactly as I instructed, stating I was no longer employed there and had left the country indefinitely. While I regretted not leaving him Emma’s name in case she called, it also told me this was a joint effort. I had a feeling the man who called was Bradley—he would have wanted assurances I was out of the picture. If my being gone meant they relaxed enough to bring Ally back here, then I could still do this.

She wasn’t lost to me yet.

I was waiting in the coffee shop when she walked in the next morning. She looked a little better and offered me a sad smile as she sat down. “I can’t stay long, I’m afraid. My mother has things she needs me to do for the wedding.”

I nodded, knowing I had to tread carefully. “You can make it up to me tomorrow.”

She didn’t say no.

“You look more rested today.”

“I slept better last night,” she confessed. “I haven’t been sleeping well since we arrived. I keep feeling like…”

“Like?”

“Like I’m missing something. Silly, isn’t it?” She took a sip of her coffee. “I don’t know why I feel like that. I can’t put my finger on it.”

I shook my head, hope growing inside me. “Not silly at all. I’m sure you have lots on your mind. Trying to recall your past must be difficult.”

She sighed. “My mother and Bradley tell me I know all the important things and to let the rest go. To move forward with my life.”

I tightened my hand on my coffee cup. I bet they fucking did.

“You should do what is right for you, Ally. Not them.”

She blinked at my words but didn’t say anything.

I showed her some pictures I had taken of her and Elena. I taught her how to go forward on the screen and sat back, watching as she looked at the photos. When she frowned and her fingers flew to her head, I sat forward. I already knew that meant something was upsetting her and causing her pain. “What’s wrong?”