62. Evie
Evie
BOOK CLUB BANDITS
LAYLA
okay hear us out…we have book options
CINDY
lots of them
BELLA
and you can have your pick depending on what you need
LAYLA
need a distraction? There’s one about a dystopian world where you are sent to a prison and hunted by the elite. think Hunger Games meets Divergent in a sense
CINDY
OR dark romance will hit home for sure
BELLA
but sometimes reading about it can help. found that books about grief let me cry and help me understand what I was feeling
LAYLA
it’s a thriller romance about an FBI agent who is hunting a serial killer
CINDY
the catch? he doesn’t realize he’s dating the said serial killer
BELLA
now you may be wondering how that ties into what is happening but trust us when we say it does. Let’s just say the serial killer is getting revenge…
CINDY
It’s very heavy hitting but might be worth a read depending on what you need <3
EVIE
I don’t deserve any of you
thank you for going to the trouble of finding these books for me
not so surprisingly I think I want to hear about the serial killer chopping men into tiny pieces
CINDY
THAT’S OUR GIRL
LAYLA
sending you the link to buy!
BELLA
and if you get any ideas we all wear the same size gloves and shoes
EVIE
HAHAHAHAHA
All while toweling off and changing into my favorite pair of pajamas—courtesy of Matteo and his packing skills—I can hear him clanging around in the kitchen, the cupboards opening and closing, the sound of the gas stove flickering on, making me puzzled.
It isn’t until I’m applying the last bit of moisturizer to my skin that the bathroom door opens and he walks in carrying two steaming mugs with an iPad cradled under his arm.
Turning, I shift my back so it’s to the mirror as I give my boyfriend the undivided attention he usually loathes…although that’s never the case when my eyes are on his.
My chest seems to loosen, tension leaking from my body just by his mere presence. It’s always been this way with him, never anyone else. Being around him makes me feel so at peace it’s a wonder as to how I went so long without him in my life.
Placing the iPad down, Matteo hands me a mug, and to my utter delight, I find he created art on top for me. Biting my lip, I cock my head, trying to discern what it is.
Matteo snorts. “It’s supposed to be a cat.”
I playfully whack his shoulder. “Hey! Half the fun is guessing. Don’t take my joy away.”
His lip twitches. “My apologies. I won’t get between you and your foam artwork.”
“Learns fast. Smart man,” I say teasingly as I lift the mug to my lips and sip, my heart melting at the taste of the hot chocolate.
He always seems to know what I need before I do.
Leaning forward, he cups my cheek before placing his lips against my forehead. My eyes close at the contact, warmth flooding my body once again as my shoulders relax, seemingly exhaling a contended sigh.
“Better?” he asks softly.
“With you, always.” One of my hands clings to the sweatshirt he’s wearing, holding him to me as I confess, “I couldn’t do this without you.”
“Yes, you could have,” he says gruffly. “But I’m glad I’m easing some of the burden.”
I can’t help but smile as I shake my head. “Heaven-sent.”
In the candlelight, Matteo’s golden skin glows, his eyes twinkling as one of his rare Valenti smiles shines down on me like a beacon. “Stealing my lines now, are we, Dove?”
“Perhaps it’s time to come up with some original content,” I tease as I bring the mug to my lips once more.
“Oooh,” he drags out, a dark laugh escaping him. “You don’t think my flirting is up to par?”
I shrug lazily. “It could use some work.”
Placing his mug down on the counter behind me, he locks me between his arms, his hands on either side of my hips. The move brings his face close to mine as he drawls, “I think my game is okay considering I drew you in.”
“I was purely drawn to your looks.”
He arches a singular brow. “Oh, is that right?”
A hum races through my bloodstream and I can’t help but feel grateful that despite everything I’ve been facing, Matteo is able to make this part of me come to life again.
Dipping my chin, I let go of my hold on his sweater, lifting my hand to run my index finger down his jawline. “That’s right,” I murmur.
“Had nothing to do with us being drawn to each other since we were kids?”
“Nothing at all. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
His lips drag along my cheek, making my body shudder as he stops by my ear, his breath warm as he purrs, “We both know you’ve wanted me for years.”
“Sounding very sure of yourself, big guy.”
“Of course I am. I’m speaking from experience.
Because whatever you felt, my Dove, I was experiencing tenfold.
” Pulling back, the forest of his eyes clash with my ocean as he goes and melts my heart into a puddle.
“I’ve loved you since I was a little boy when it was innocent and pure.
I loved you as a teenager when my body was filled with hormones and I began to look at you as more than a friend, and I have loved you every moment of every day as an adult. ”
Matteo’s gaze bores into mine, his eyes soulful and filled with just that—love.
Lifting his hand from beside my hip, he slides it up my neck until he’s cupping my cheek.
“I have always loved you, Evie,” he confesses.
“It’s grown inside my heart and soul as I’ve aged.
It’s never dimmed, the flame never flickering for even a moment.
” He cups my other cheek now, cradling my head between his hands.
“It has always been you, and it will continue to always be you. In every lifetime, I will love you, Evie.”
Before I can say anything, Matteo bridges the gap between us and kisses me so deeply, with such passion, warmth and tender care, that I know I’ve never felt as much love for him as I do in this moment.
Have never felt as connected to another human as I do now.
And I know I never will.
Matteo is it for me. He always has been.
Pulling back, I take a deep steadying breath, our foreheads resting against one another as I peek up at him through my lashes.
“You’re my best friend, Matteo, the other half of my soul.
I’ve known it since I was a little girl and would seek you out in a room full of people, knew it when you were the only safe place I felt I could land, the only one who could bring me back to myself.
I have known it for as long as I have known you.
You are my person…my love.” Reaching up, I catch the lone tear that slides down his cheek.
“Anything life throws at me, I know I can handle because I have you by my side. I can’t wait to explore the world with you.
I can’t wait to experience life with you because I love you, Matteo, and I have only ever seen you there beside me. ”
In the blink of an eye, a smile is stretching across Matteo’s face, one so dazzling and full of happiness I can’t help but mirror it with my own.
“Those are words I’ll cherish for as long as I live.” My heart pinches knowing the confession is just that more special to Matteo since his parents never told him they loved him. “Please say it again, just once more,” he whispers.
Smiling at my beautiful man, I say tenderly, “I love you, Matteo Valenti. Always have, always will.”
He sighs contentedly, his eyes fluttering closed as if he’s savoring the words.
I pepper his cheek with a kiss before whispering, “And you will always hear those words from me. Be prepared to be loved loudly, Matteo, because mine is a love far too great to keep quiet.”
His eyes fly open at that. “We’re always on the same wavelength, Dove. I was just about to say the same.”
“I just have one question.”
“Anything,” he whispers, the joy radiating off him sending endless warmth through my veins.
“Why do you call me Dove?”
His thumbs brush back and forth across my cheeks. “Because when I look at you, I see freedom,” he confesses. “You are my peace, Evie. I look at you and I feel free.”
My heart freefalls, dropping right down into my stomach at the revelation before coming back up and soaring.
“And in return, I’m going to help you feel free, my Dove.”
His smile turns sheepish as he lifts his shirt, letting me bask in the glory of his tattoo as he turns to the side.
“When I went to college, I got this—a tattoo of a dove fleeing its cage because I was finally free.
" He pauses, the silence weighted. “It made me think of you, made me think of how much happiness you gave me, how you helped me through the hardest time in my life. It was as if I could have a part of you everywhere I went.”
Tears are glistening in my eyes as he lowers his shirt. I’m all but choking on my emotions as I declare, “I’ll fight. I’ll use all my strength and fight. Not just for myself but for all the girls he hurt. I’ll fight for our freedom.”
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers before kissing me gently, softly, as if I’m the most precious thing in his life. “Are you ready to fly again?” he asks.
Looking into the eyes of my best friend—the one who has been there beside me through all of this, reminding me of my strength on the days I feel like I have none—I know I can do this.
Deep down within my soul, I know I can.
And although I’m doing this to help all those women, I’m doing this for myself, too. For the three-year-old girl who had so much taken from her, who was hurt beyond repair.
I’m doing it for her.
Because no one else would, and she deserves to have someone fight for her.
With that thought in mind, feeling more strength than I have in months, I say, “I’m ready to soar.”
Pride shines in Matteo’s eyes at my answer. Rising to his full height, he rolls up his right sleeve, revealing the bracelet I gave him when we were kids. My heart skips a beat at the sight.
I didn’t realize he was wearing it outside of games now.
I frown as he takes it off, but then he gently lifts my hand. “You once told me that when you were scared or sad, you’d look down at this and it would make you feel happy and safe.” Once the beaded bracelet is secured on my wrist, he smiles down at me. “It’s time you felt safe, Evie.”