“Yeah, you’re squeezing me within an inch of my life.”
Maybe I am the awful person he says I’m not, because I laugh again. “And everyone said I was the dramatic one.”
“I will push you off me,” he warns, in a take no shit voice.
“Me or the spider?”
“You, then the spider.” He shakes his hand a little more, leaning closer over the edge. As if the spider knows this, it lets go. “Good. Off you fucking go.”
Relaxing back on soft pillows, he stares up at me. Me, who didn’t get pushed off before the spider. He smiles, looking so handsome, so tired. And he closes his eyes, whispering as he holds me close, “I changed my mind about you. You aren’t going anywhere.”
“Ambrose.”
Green eyes open for a minute.
“I’m sorry I’m so broken.”And that I see stuff that isn’t there. That it cost you and both of our parents your lives.
It’s so hard for me to talk about this right now. Most times, can’t even think of it.
Keeping it from my thoughts is the only way to survive myself.
His arms band tighter, big hands gentle on my back. “You’re not broken, Dollie. It’s just, we’re only whole together.” He gives me three kisses, the first longer than the two that follow. “Now, get some sleep. Lack of it is hard on the mind.”
“Did you lock the doors?”
“I think so.” His hands weave through my hair. “I checked them three times.” He smiles, making light of his own struggles.
And making me love him more by doing so.
“Now, seriously, get some sleep.”
CHAPTER 84
Dollie—present day
“Ithink you should get an Uber.”
“No, I’m driving.”
“Is that safe?”
“I can move my hands just fine. You must remember.”
Heat lands on my cheeks. It’s not caused by the kitchen being hot from all the baking I’ve been doing this past hour.
“You could come with me.”
The sun shines through the kitchen window, highlighting each silver scar in a beautiful way.
“Are you nervous for you, or over me being alone?”
“What makes you think I’m nervous at all?” Ambrose asks, shoving an overly appetizing piece of avocado toast into his mouth.
It’s green, you don’t want it,I try to tell myself.
Turning away, I distract myself by adding a second layer to his birthday cake. Yes, I’m a few days late, and this is my second attempt, but we have so much to celebrate.
And he deserves a cake.
