“Thanks, Mom.”
Instantly Aunt Kingsley’s bottom lip juts out, and she glances around the room with the same cute face Aria has down to an art form when she wants something or gets sentimental.
“Aww…” My mother coos as she goes to give her best friend a hug.
My eyes return to Aria, and seeing the contented smile on her face as she watches our parents, I know we’ll be fine.
Once we’re back home, we’ll need to talk about what happened between her and Eli. I’ll help my girl heal, and we’ll find our happily ever afters with each other.
That’s all I want from this life. Just time to love Aria the way she deserves to be loved.
ARIA
Three days after the ordeal, we’re driving to the airport, and I take in all the devastation that was caused by the earthquake. Parts of buildings collapsed, and in places, the ground has been torn apart. It makes me realize how fortunate Forest and I are.
When we get home, things I’ve taken for granted scream at me for attention.
The pristine grounds of Trinity Academy.
The luxury I’ve always taken as a given.
The love I’ve always been surrounded by.
God, I’m so blessed. Thank you for not taking it away from me.
Forest and I are avoiding elevators and sticking to climbing stairs. It’s a fear we’ll deal with in the future, but right now, I’ll lose my mind if I have to step into that box. Walking into the suite, we come to a sudden halt. All our friends yell, “Welcome home!”
A huge smile spreads over my face at the celebration they put together. There’s even a banner stretching across the bay windows.
We hug everyone, and then Jase says, “I’m too young to die of a heart attack. The two of you are banned from ever going to San Francisco again.”
I let out a chuckle. “Trust me, that won’t be an issue.”
Hunter comes to wrap his arm around my shoulders, and his eyes scan over me. “You’re okay, right?”
I nod at my big brother. “Yeah.”
He hugs me to his chest and presses a kiss to the top of my head, then he murmurs, “Love you.”
I grin up at him. “Love you, too.”
Our friends ordered food, and we spend the day just hanging with them while stuffing our faces.
Carla’s been quiet, though, and as soon as I’m able to pull her aside, I ask, “Are you okay?”
She shakes her head and wraps her arms around me. “I think I died a thousand deaths while waiting to hear that you and Forest had been rescued.”
I tighten my hold on her. “We’re here now.”
“I know. It was just a little traumatizing.”
“You know,” Noah suddenly says, “you’re both very lucky escaping with so few injuries.”
I frown at him, which has him explaining, “I’ve looked at the statistics for elevator accidents, and the survival rate is actually poor.”
“Noah!” Carla snaps. “Seriously? Keep that shit to yourself.”
“He’s right, though,” Forest says, and his gaze rests warmly on me. “We’re lucky. I, for one, will never take anything for granted again.”
“Yeah, me too,” I agree as I walk to him. Standing on my toes, I frame his jaw with my hands, and I press a kiss to his mouth. “Especially my time with you.”
“Are you guys finally a ‘real’ couple now?” Fallon asks.
Grinning, I turn to our friends. “Yeah.”
After everyone’s left, I go to my bedroom to grab clean clothes, then head to Forest’s room. When I walk inside, I find him sitting on the edge of his bed. His thoughts seem miles away.
I go stand in front of him, and set my clothes down on the mattress before I take hold of his hand. “Want me to help you shower and get ready for bed?”
A slow smile spreads over his face. “Definitely.”
I pull him up, and once we’re in the bathroom, I shut the door behind us. Forest turns to look at me, and tilting his head, he says, “Don’t freak out when you see my chest. Okay? It’s not as bad as it looks.”
Lifting my hands, I begin to unbutton his shirt. I pay special attention to carefully pull the fabric over the cast. As I drop the material to the floor, I bring my eyes to the dark bruises on his left side.
I stare until my eyes blur. Lifting my gaze to Forest, I say, “Thank you for keeping me safe.”
The corner of his mouth lifts as a loving look warms his features. “Without a doubt, I’d die for you.”
His words make my chin tremble. “I want you to live for me.”
I meet Forest halfway for a sweet kiss before I continue undressing him. There’s nothing sexual about this moment.
After talking with Forest while we were stuck in the elevator about the real horror of my failed relationship with Eli, I feel super self-conscious.