Page 49 of Lucas & Melissa Falling in Love
“Don’t worry, mia bella. I have emergency money.” It goes without saying that this is an emergency and I steel myself against the onslaught of emotion.
“Are you sure you want me to—”
“Yes. I won’t go without you.” I realize after I say it that it’s the truth. The knowledge stuns me. I clench my muscles against the pain, the vulnerability seeping through the fissure of denial. What if I did the wrong thing when I left home those years ago? What if I don’t make it back in time and he slips away? I’ve let my bond with my father stretch too far.
What if I never see him again?
“You have a choice to make,” I say. “I wish it wasn’t so sudden, so soon, but there’s no time. I have to ask you.” I feel confident, but my hand shakes as I reach out to her to touch her face as it transforms from practical, dealing-with-an-emergency mode to stark fear and uncertainty.
“Melissa.” I whisper her name. She closes her eyes and I see the tears bubble up under her lashes and fall. The wrenching sadness tears at me from nowhere and everywhere, but I firm up my defenses and say nothing.
“I know.” She nods her head and opens her eyes. “I’ll come with you. I don’t know why you think I wouldn’t.”
Even in my relief, I remember why.
I still haven’t told her my secret, my identity, who my family is.
F—ck.
