Page 153 of Chasing Hope

I’ve already prepared the projector, along with a bath caddy that holds her favorite snacks—M&M’s, popcorn, Doritos, and mini marshmallows for the hot chocolate downstairs. Her comfort food is also sitting in my Uber Eats cart if the snacks aren’t enough. Turning on the bath tap, I check the temperature, making sure it’s just right before pouring in the bubble bath liquid.

Wiping my hands, I pick up the iPad, connecting to the projector and pulling up her guilty pleasure show,The O.C.

I’m just laying out her undereye patches and face mask to the left of the bath when I hear the door creak open behind me. When I turn, I find Evie watching me with a look of awe, and to my surprise, silver begins to pool in her eyes.

“Matteo?” she whispers.

And fuck, doesn’t my heart skip a beat at hearing my name from her lips.

Clearing my throat, I offer a small smile as I wave in the direction of the bathroom. “I figured you’d need all your favorites.”

Evie blinks furiously, her smile watery as she breathes, “I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve everything that brings you joy, Evie.”

Shaking her head in astonishment, she takes a step forward. “Thank you isn’t enough.”

“It’s plenty. I just want to help, in any way I can.” Smiling at her, I spin around and turn off the tap. The bathroom layout works perfectly—the clawfoot tub sitting in the middle, facing the blank wall where I’ve set up the projector, the shower to the right and out of the way and the sink to the left holding the skin care.

“I’ll leave you to it. I laid out your robe and pajamas on the seat over there as well.” I move to leave but pause. “I’ll bring up a hot chocolate for you, and when you’re hungry, just give me a shout and I’ll order from the Indian restaurant on Seventh Street.”

“That’s my favorite.”

“I know.” As I move past her, Evie’s hand snaps out, clutching my wrist. My heart dives off a cliff.

“Stay,” she murmurs.

“It’s okay, I don’t?—”

“Please,” she begs.

Holding my breath, I search for my Dove in her blue eyes. “Okay, I’ll make two hot chocolates.”

I don’t dare move as she leans forward and places her forehead against my chest, her free hand clutching my shirt like she needs to stabilize herself. Ever so slowly, testing the waters, I lift my arm and gently place it around her. When she doesn’t flinch but instead breathes a sigh of relief, all the air in my lungs escapes me. Relief as swift as lightning strikes my body and I don’t hesitate.

Wrapping both my arms around her body, I hold her to me, kissing the top of her head. I’m eternally grateful that she feels safe enough to let me touch her after what I figure was one of the hardest things for her to face—speaking up.

“I’m so proud of you,” I whisper into her hair. “So goddamn proud of you, Dove. You’ve got this, baby, I know you do.”

Her voice cracks as she confesses, “It was hard.”

“I know, baby, but you’ve got this. You’re the strongest person I know. You just have to keep going, one day at a time, one session at a time.”

“And what if I can’t?”

“Then I’ll be here to catch you on the days where you feel like you can’t fly.”

She lifts her head, peering up at me through those thick black lashes I love so much. “That’s a lot for you to carry.”

I arch a brow. “Have you seen my body? I can carry a lot of weight.”

“Cocky bastard,” she teases, lips twitching as they threaten to lift into a smile.

Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, I murmur, “My beautiful Dove.”

Evie’s eyes flutter closed, her cheek leaning into the palm of my hand as she sighs. “Thank you…for everything.”

“I’d do anything for you.Anything.”