Page 70 of Entangled
“Huh?”
“It’ll be perfect. We can get dressed, pack up some cookies and the lasagna, and take a little road trip up the mountain. Do the old ‘Hi, how are ya?’ with her dad, eat a little din-din, then head back down here so we can watchElfagain.”
“Is this you trying to finagle your way into meeting her?”
“Obviously.” She wraps her arms around me. “But beyond that, I want to see you happy. Also, you know I love field trips.”
“A, you just might be on to something. And B, I amnotwatchingElfa third time. You’re on your own there.” I smile at my little sister. “Let’s do it.”
Dahlia claps her hands. “Excellent. Go shower and get your shit together. You can’t show up on her doorstep looking like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like there’s a ferret living in your hair. Who the hell gets bedhead like that? Did you sleep upside down?”
I bark out a laugh. “Nope. I’m a side-sleeper.”
“Shower your side-sleeping ass so we can get moving.” She snaps her fingers. “Chop. Chop.”
Forty-five minutes later, Dahlia and I are headed up the mountain toward the Punzel estate.
“Wait until you see this place.”
“Is it big?”
“Huge. It’s a literal castle.”
“Are you nervous about meeting her dad?”
“A little.”
“Don’t be. You have a lot to offer.”
My laugh echoes through the truck. “You’re funny, Dahl.”
She grips my forearm. “I’m serious. You’re a good man. She’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” I spot a figure walking up ahead, so I move toward the middle of the road to give them space.
“This isn’t the safest road for a Sunday walk.” Dahlia peers over the embankment. “Why the fuck aren’t there any guardrails?”
“No clue.” I glance in my rearview mirror at the person heading the opposite direction. It’s a woman, judging by her curves and long hair. Wait. Make that long,goldenhair. “Holy shit.” I slam on the brakes.
“What the hell was that for?”
I throw the truck into park and yank the emergency brake, then unbuckle my seatbelt. “Stay here.” I click my flashers on and hop out of the truck. Cupping my hands over my mouth, I shout Rowan’s name.
She whirls around, and her mouth drops open. Even from this distance, her green eyes captivate me. For a moment, we simply stare at each other in disbelief.
Then she runs toward me.
“Where were you going?” I ask as we collide.
Rowan jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around me. “I needed to see you.” She buries her face in my neck. “I love you, Henry. So much.”
“Love you too, Princess.” My heart swells, knowing how difficult it was for her to leave the safety of her tower. Not only did she face her demons head on, but she did it for me. I mattered enough for her to break with her sixteen-year recluse identity. That’s the greatest gift she could have given me. “How did you plan to get to my place?”
“I really didn’t think it through. I mean, logically, I could’ve called an Uber or something, but I was fully prepared to walk.”
