Page 97 of Chasing Hope

I could be anywhere in the world with Evie and all she’d have to do is look at me like that and I’d feel at peace.

“Valenti,” she drawls. “Looking very dapper. Where have you been?”

It takes everything in me not to smile like a fool at her. Far toooften I’m fighting a smile because of her but I can’t let them show, because if I did, it would be far too obvious that I’m in love with her.

I’m surprised she can’t see it shining in my eyes every time I look at her.

Because I feel it…all the time.

Every moment of my day is filled with the love I have for the woman in front of me.

Arching a brow, I hang up my keys to give myself a moment to catch my breath. “How did your first day go?” I ask instead.

Deflect.

Always deflect onto her.

Ask her enough questions, you’ll get her talking, and that’s my favorite pastime. Listening to the sound of her voice and watching how she lights up a room.

Sitting up straighter, her smile widens even further. Moving into the kitchen, I lean against the island, watching with fascination as her eyes spark.

There’s my Dove, flying once more.

“It was honestly incredible. The best thing to ever happen to me was getting fired. It felt like everything just clicked. The information flowed, my emotions felt aligned. Everything seemed to slide into place.”

Now I smile. “I’m so goddamn happy for you, Dove.”

She leans forward and places her chin in her palm. “Me too.” Her gaze finds mine, a thousand thoughts and feelings swirling in her blue depths. “I was really nervous.”

“I know.”

She rolls her eyes, but it’s the cutest thing. Always has been.

I love making her roll her eyes. I fantasize about making her do that in my bed, too.

“Always reading me like a book.”

My favorite one to read.

Waving me off, she says, “Enough about me. How was your day?”

“Oh no you don’t. You’re not getting off scot-free. Tell me about the people, the course, your teachers. I want to know everything.”

Pulling back, she scrunches up her nose. “Really?”

“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to know.”

“But won’t you get bored of my talking?”

Standing to my full height, I get comfortable, leaning on the other side of the island, crossing my ankles and my arms over my chest. “Do I look bored?”

Evie cocks her head. “It’s always hard to tell with you.”

I snort out a laugh. “Liar, you can read me better than most people.”

“Guess I’m the Valenti whisperer,” she teases.

“You’re a rare breed.”