Page 174 of Chasing Hope

With all the seriousness I can muster, I say, “It would be the greatest travesty to ever happen.”

She playfully shoves me away. “Go on, get it all set up how you’d like.”

I quickly kiss her cheek before jumping out of my truck and getting to work.

Ten minutes later, I’ve moved the truck so the tailgate is facing the view of Denver, the city lights twinkling up at us as Evie sits nestled in my side. The pillows at our backs and the duvet keep us comfortable and warm.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers.

“So very beautiful,” I agree, but my eyes are on her.

Always her.

My Dove.

She tips her chin up to me slowly. “Views the other way, Valenti.”

“The view I’m staring at is better.”

Even in the dark I can see the tint that blossoms on her cheeks. She lays her head down on my chest, wrapping her arm around my middle. “How’s the coding going?” she asks, switching subjects.

Following her lead I rest my chin atop her head, loving the way her scent envelopes me.

“It’s going,” I murmur.

She huffs out a laugh, poking my stomach with her nails. “You can give me a bit more than that.”

My lip twitches into a grin. “It’s going…really well actually. Kieran and I were talking in the locker room the other day. We’re thinking of doing an event with friends and family to celebrate the release.”

Evie squeezes my thigh. “You should. You both should be celebrating. What you two are doing…you’re going to change lives.”

Warmth makes its way up my chest at the compliment. “It wasn’t my idea. I just made it.”

Evie moves to sit up, facing me fully. “Matteo, you brought it to life. You’re saving children. You’re giving them a platform where they can safely report abuse and ask for police or an ambulance. You are the reason that negligent parents, foster parents, and abusers will be reported.”

If only there had been something like this when Evie needed help.

Swallowing thickly at her words, I whisper, “I hope it does good.”

“It will,” she says vehemently.

“Thank you for your support.”

She lifts her hand to my cheek, her thumb brushing back and forth across my stubble. I can’t help but close my eyes and soak up her touch. “I’ll always support you,” she murmurs.

“Well, thank you. It means a lot.” I huff out a laugh. “Means everything to me, actually.”

At Evie’s silence, I open my eyes to find her already watching me. I can tell a question is burning on her tongue, can see the war raging within her mind.

“Spit it out, Dove.”

She’s hesitant before I implore her with my gaze. Just that one look and suddenly she’s blurting out, “Have you told your parents?”

Now I know why she was reluctant.

My body stiffens, but at her worry, I quickly force myself to relax. “No, I haven’t, and I won’t. They don’t deserve to celebrate it with me. Not something like this.”

She nods, biting her bottom lip. Peering down at my fisted hands, she reaches forward and grabs them, forcing them to relax.