Page 114 of Aftershock
“Promise me.” Alaric’s intensity almost brings me to my knees. “Tell me you’ll come to me. That you trust me.”
“I will.” I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him close. “I do.”
24
LILITH
Eating pizza in the living room turns out better than I expected. Maybe even better than if we’d had a real meal at the dining table.
Sitting comfortably on the couch with Alaric beside me and Hope across from us, nothing about this feels formal. There’s no pressure, no careful politeness.
The conversation flows from one topic to another, from Hope’s plans for her bakery to a funny lady in the cafeteria who made me laugh so hard I snorted, then to Alaric’s workout routine when he gets the chance.
Warmth buzzes through me at how effortless and natural our interactions are. It’s like we’ve done this a hundred times before.
Like Alaric was always meant to be a part of our little family.
EvenHope never gets around to grilling him like she said she would.
I don’t think she means to let it go. It just…happens.
“Lilith.” Alaric glances at me, wiping his hands with a napkin before lacing his fingers with mine.
“Yes?” It blows my mind that I still get goosebumps when he says my name like that.
“I didn’t get to ask before, but I noticed a couple of new pumpkins and skeletons in your room. If you’d like, I’d love to take you to the Halloween parade this year.”
“Thank you. The parade must be beautiful.” Since he keeps giving me thatI’m listeninglook, I add, “Maybe one day.”
“Until then…” Hope chimes in, her voice warm. “Alaric, maybe you can convince her to watch some scary movies with you, because—oh, um. Shit, I never asked if you guys talked about it. Fuck.Fuck.”
“It’s okay.” I turn in time to see her cheeks burn red. “We did.”
“Thank God.” She lets out a long breath, then points a finger at Alaric. “You know, it’s your fault for being so…one of us.”
His lips twitch while his thumb rubs comforting circles over my wrist. “I apologize, I guess?”
Both Hope and I laugh at that. When our laughter fades, I realize Alaric’s expression has shifted. The lightness has slipped away, his serious gaze boring into my soul.
“If you’re open to it, we could try watching a scary movie together.” He must sense my rising panic, because heleans in and presses his lips to my forehead, letting them linger there. He only pulls away once my breathing evens out. “You don’t have to decide anything right now. I hope it goes without saying that any choice you make is a good one, and…”
My heart flutters in my chest as I remain quiet, eagerly waiting for him to finish.
“While you think about it, understand this—I’m not trying to fix you. You’re not broken. Not even close.” When he pulls back, I notice his jaw is clenched. Somehow, his voice stays low. Controlled. “I’m just giving you the chance to reclaim what was stolen from you.”
Gratitude creeps up the back of my neck. My eyes sting. Though I can tell he’s set on erasing every trace of my mother from my life, he isn’t forcing it. He leaves the choice up to me.
How dare he say he’s anything less than perfect?
“I’d love that.” Emotional but happy, I let my head rest on his shoulder. “Can Hope join?”
“You don’t even have to ask.” He lets go of my hand to wrap his arm around me, tucking me into his side.
Snuggling into my own personal fortress, I whisper, “Thank you.”
Hope, who’s been quiet the whole time, fixes her gaze on Alaric. “You really love Lilith, don’t you?”
“Very much.”
