“Hey, thanks for all those dinners,” Remi said. “The Chicken Marsala was amazing.”
Cassidy beamed at her. “It always was your favorite.”
I cleared my throat. “Right, well, you want to come in? Cassidy was just leaving.”
“Oh, absolutely,” my sister said. “Sorry, I totally forgot.” Breezing past Remi, she walked down my sidewalk, calling out, “See you when I get back from California!”
“Don’t rush!” I shouted. With a sweeping gesture, I invited Remi inside.
The way she hesitated did not give me confidence, but she eventually stepped inside, not moving past the foyer.
“You can come in. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Thanks, but I won’t be here long.”
Fuuuuuuuuck. If hopes could be shattered, mine had just been dropped off the Empire State Building.
“Remi,” I breathed, the pleading in my tone desperate even to my own ears.
Smoothing down the front of her baby-blue sundress, she avoided my gaze. “I want my dog back.”
My brows shot up my head. Those weren’t the words I’d expected to come out of her mouth. Though he was her dog. I couldn’t very well fault her for it, even if it did sting like a slap to the face.
“Okay,” I mumbled.
“And my stuff too. Whatever else was in that box in your closet and that flash drive. I want it. If it was mine before, it’s mine now too.”
My gut wrenched. It was in no way the direction I’d hoped her surprise visit would take us. Jesus. When would the hits stop coming?
“Yeah. Sure. I have more in the attic too. It won’t all fit in your car. I can drop them off later tonight if you want.”
“That’d be great. I’m taking off for a while. I found a rental in Savannah and passed my clients off to a realtor friend. I need—”
“How long is a while?” I rushed out with my heart in my throat.
“I don’t know yet.” Still refusing me eye contact, she shook her head. “I got the rental for a month, but I’m looking for something a little more permanent.”
“Permanent?” I exclaimed, taking a giant step toward her. “You’re moving?”
She backed away. “I have to get out of here. Everything I do, everywhere I go reminds me of you. And that’s only the stuff I remember. I can’t walk down the street without wondering if maybe we’d been there before. Did we go on a date to that new sushi restaurant that I’ve been eyeing? Or drinks at that bar downtown with the cotton candy martinis? Have I already had them? Is that why I want more? Did we take the dogs to the park I pass every day on my way to work? Is that why I’m drawn to it? See, Bowen, when you pretended to be a grieving widower, you didn’t just make our relationship a lie. You turned my entire life into a lie too.”
I planted my hands on my hips, the panic of losing her making my tone gruff. “Maybe. But please, enlighten me. How the fuck do the memories of sushi and cotton candy martinis compare to finding you bleeding to death in my bed?”
Her back shot straight, and her wide eyes once again met mine.
Her shock only fueled my fire.
I took another step toward her, crowding her without touching. “Just explain to me how whether or not you’ve ever been to a Goddamn dog park even remotely compares to me physically restraining you, kicking and screaming, to give the doctors time to sedate you?” Another step, this one causing her back to hit the wall beside the door. “Or how about the time I begged and pleaded with your sobbing father to sign papers to have you involuntarily committed?”
Her mouth fell open, but the year and a half of agony tumbling from my lips was a runaway freight train I was unable to stop.
“What about the night I stripped all the sheets from your bed and took every belt, scarf, and even bra from your room because you wanted to take a shower alone and I was terrified of what you would do with them? I spent entire fucking nights hiding every pill, cleaning supply, and even your own car keys, trying to keep you alive. And you’re worried about whether or not we’ve walked down a fucking street together?”
Her chest heaved as she peered up at me, emotion crinkling her brow. “You left me.”
“I freed you,” I corrected. Gripping her hips, I leaned down, bringing my mouth mere centimeters from hers, swallowing her exhales as if they were the only oxygen I would ever need. Resting an elbow beside her head, I pressed my body against hers. Chest to chest, her breasts pillowed between us. “I have loved you every single minute of every single day since I laid eyes on you. Happy. Sad. Desperate. Lost in love. You were all of my memories. And then suddenly, I was none of yours. I always swore to myself I would get you back. Somehow. Someway. Well, this was my way. I would tear the gates to hell down if need be. You are mine, Remi. Past, present, and if I get any say in it…future.”
