Page 82 of Aftershock
And look at me now.
Fucking look.
“I’m sorry.” Taking a deep breath, I fix my expression into something less homicidal.
Her lips part, then slam shut. Her cheeks pale.
Do better. Fast.
“I’m more than sorry. I—listen to me.” I hook a finger under her chin, tipping her face up higher. “I’m not mad at you. I could never be. And even if that day ever comes, which it won’t, I will never,evertake it out on you. Not byshouting, using fists, or looking at you like you’re anything less than perfect. Do you hear me?”
Her mouth twitches. Her hand shivers on my cheek.
Unacceptable.
“It’s okay for you to be mad at me, though.” One short kiss, and her palm stops trembling. Air floods back into my lungs. “If I’m late for our date, if I’m being a jerk, hell, if I don’t do the dishes, you have every right to be pissed at me.”
“You’re crazy.” Finally, a laugh. A real one that reaches her eyes.
She’s so beautiful. A light shining through my darkness.
Thank fuck she didn’t die that day at the hospital. Thank fucking fuck.
“Come with me,” I repeat.
I wish it could wait until we get home. I wish I could tuck her into bed, where she’ll be warm and comfortable, before I bring up our past.
But I won’t survive a ten-minute walk where I have to pretend everything’s fine.
“Okay.” She seems sure and trusting as she lets go of my cheek and squeezes my hand back.
I can’t help it. I lift her hand to my lips and kiss each knuckle.
Then we’re off.
“How did Hope get home?” I ask, my strides long.
“I know it’s a short walk, but I made her order an Uber.” Lilith shoots me a soft smile. “Thank you for asking.”
“She’s like a sister to you.” A confused frown tugs at my features. “Why wouldn’t I ask?”
“Is that all? Because she’s like a sister to me?”
Ah. Despite the pounding in my head, I get what’s going on.
Lilith needs to hear that I don’t just understand the nature of her relationship with Hope. That I respect it.
Which I do. “If she’s important to you, she’s important to me.”
She squeezes my hand harder. A silentyou passed.
After that, we’re both quiet as I guide her through the hospital. Footsteps, people crying, and conversations echo from everywhere.
They all fade into background noise when I have Lilith.
“So…where are we going?” I love the curiosity in her voice, how she doesn’t sound scared anymore.
“To a consultation room. It’ll be empty until tomorrow morning.” I look down and soften my expression, though the pressure to grind my teeth is intense. “I have to tell you something.”
