Page 198 of Savior
“Dean loves you, Vanna.” Her tone is insisting, as if she’s worried that I harbor doubts.
“I know that… I love him, too.”
“And I know that.”
“Do you love him?” the words blurt out before I can stop them.
Cherry stares at me for a moment, before she answers. “Not in the way you’re clearly wondering about.”
“Never?”
She hesitates, shifting in her boots.
“I thought so… Though, I don’t blame you.” I sigh.
She almost looks ashamed, letting go of the purse strap to cross and hold onto her own slender arms.
“How long ago?”
“Years.” She says.
“Does Dean know?”
“I don’t know. It’s not something we ever talked about.” She slightly shrugs one shoulder. “I don’t think so. If he ever suspected, he never said anything about it to me.” She purses her lips to the side for a moment. “He’s a gentleman like that, you know?”
I do know. “Does Axel know, you once…?” I let the sentence drift. Part of me feels like I shouldn’t be prying, but she seems to want to clear the air between us.
“Yes… But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Axel. He’s the only man for me.” Cherry insists, and I believe her. “Look, Vanna, I want us to be sisters. I want you to be able to trust me, too.” She says, letting her arms fall to her sides.
“I do.”
“Good.” She sighs. “Now that we’ve gotten all that awkwardness out of the way, is there anything I can do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just… anything?” She shrugs again, looking at me as if she can’t exactly find the words. But I think I understand. She just wants to make sure we’re still on good terms. That our growing friendship hasn’t been altered or damaged in some way over recent events.
“I need a maid of honor.” I offer.
She looks at me curiously. “What about Giuliana?”
“Apparently, she wanted to fuck Dean, too.” I joke.
It’s impossible to fight back a smirk as Cherry’s eyes widen in shocked surprise, but then we both laugh.
“I’m sorry, that’s not funny at all.” Cherry says, wiping her eyes.
“No, it isn’t.” I shake my head, coming down from my laughing fit as well. “I honestly feel like we’re all going crazy. That it’s not just me and these hormones.” I gesture with a wave for her to follow me into the kitchen so I can offer her something to drink.
Cherry follows, laughing behind me, “Birds of a feather flock together, I suppose.”
“Is this really a good idea?” The reservation in Dean’s tone hasn’t wavered since I sprung this on him.
“It’s almost been a year.” I reply. “Were we just never going to come back? You love this place.”
“Loved… maybe.” Dean sighs, pulling the truck key from the ignition and leaning back in his seat. He stares through the windshield at the little log cabin. “I would have burned this place to the ground for you.”
I reach across the seat to touch his hand. “I heard what you said to Viking that night… I couldn’t let you do it.”
