39. If you’re the forest, I’m the trees
CHAPTER 39
IF YOU’RE THE FOREST, I’M THE TREES
EMMA
W hen I said I’d be happy doing anything, this was not what I pictured. But here we are, sitting on the hood of his classic car, at a park on the hill like a couple of wayward teens while the streetlamps cast a yellow glow across Charlie’s cheekbones.
The heat of him holds the chill of the night at bay, and I sink deeper into his arms. With every inhale, I drink more of him in, letting his warm, wild scent envelop me. If he asked me again to run away together, I’d say yes.
If he asked me to stay with him forever, I wouldn’t even hesitate.
It’s like no other birthday I’ve ever had.
It’s perfect.
I’m feeling so good that I answer my cell without checking the caller ID. At the sound of Harvey’s voice, my smile disappears. He wouldn’t call me this late on a weeknight unless there was an issue.
“Evening, Emma. My apologies for calling at this hour, but it’s important we meet to discuss your parents. There’s been a development.”
My blood runs cold. No, no, no. Not again. They promised.
They promised.
“When?”
“As soon as possible.”
Fuck. That’s bad. That’s really, really bad.
“Now?”
“If you can come to my office, I’ll let my secretary know to expect you.”
My heart’s beating a mile a minute. Either it’ll jackhammer its way out of my chest or overwork itself into burnout, and right now, I’d welcome either.
I cannot believe they did this.
“Whoa there.” Charlie’s suddenly in front of me, running calming hands over my shoulders. “Breathe.”
It’s all too easy to step into his arms. His heartbeat is strong and steady, same as his breathing. “I have to go. It’s my parents.”
“Everything okay?”
“No” is all I can manage.
He squeezes me a little tighter. “Do you need backup?”
Of course he’d ask.
I press closer, holding tight, trying to absorb a little of his strength. Last time this happened, I faced it alone. I was angry and lost and faced with the reality that my social circle came with a buy-in cost. One I couldn’t afford anymore.
So his presence, his willingness to face it with me? It’s priceless.
I rest my chin on his chest. “A ride would be nice.”
Leading me to the passenger door, he pulls his keys from his pocket. “What the lady wants, she gets.”
God, he’s so good. Ready to help at the drop of a hat. It knocks something loose between my ribs. Four letters, starts with L , difficult to say.
When we arrive at Harvey’s office, I convince Charlie to stay in the car. I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal the full scale of catastrophe that is my family’s financial situation. I’m sure he has his suspicions. How could he not? He’s incredibly smart, and I’ve dropped enough details for him to put it together.
I can’t pinpoint the moment having Charlie by my side changed from frustrating to comforting, but knowing he’s waiting for me is half the reason I’m walking steady right now.
Harvey’s office is quiet at this late hour, only adding to my growing dread. I thought we were finally out of the woods. The last time we slipped into the red was awful, and I’m praying this isn’t as bad.
It can’t be, right? Surely they wouldn’t be that cruel.
“How bad is it?” I ask as I enter Harvey’s office. The space is surprisingly modest, considering his rates, but I suspect that’s on purpose. No distractions. For someone as straightforward and formidable as Harvey is, it makes sense. His office doesn’t need to be intimidating. He fills that role himself.
When I met him, I genuinely thought my parents had hired private security. And while he’s a few inches shorter than me, I have no doubt he could easily destroy me in a fight. Honestly? He would probably best Charlie, and that’s saying something.
Harvey stands until I’ve taken a seat, as polite as ever. “Not as bad as last time, but it’s not good.”
Happy birthday to me.
With a long breath in, he slides his glasses on and reaches for a folder.
Oh god. My heart jerks painfully in my chest. The problem’s big enough that staples are involved. Any receipt longer than a single page is bad news. That’s at least an extra zero more than we can afford.
Wordlessly, he passes it to me. There’s probably nothing he can say that will prepare me.
When Logan would take me to dinner, he’d make a show of sliding his black card into the bill without even looking at the figure. What I’d give to be able to take care of this in the same way. But I need to know the damage. Ignoring it will only make things worse.
One look at the total, and I can’t decide whether I want to scream or cry. Bar staff, florist, catering… the whole fucking fundraiser.
I blow out a hot breath and slam the folder closed. “I thought Violet was paying for everything.” If my mother lied straight to my face, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
“They were sneaky about it,” Harvey says, his mouth turned down in frustration. I know how he feels. “Mrs. Williamson Cross organized all services on behalf of the foundation. Everything, down to the silverware, was booked under her name, but the bill came back to your parents. I’m sorry, Emma. I should have caught this sooner.”
“There are only two people to blame for this, and neither of them is in this room.”
Most people get it wrong. The full quote is “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Money alone has no ill will. It can be used for good just as easily as bad. But the love of it, a life spent in a constant need for more and more, until the value of it and the reality of what was done to gain it, loses all meaning. That’s what’s dangerous.
“What should I do?” I ask.
“There’s no choice now. They’ll have to sell. I’ve spoken to the event planners, and they’ve agreed to a delayed payment schedule as long as we can settle half of it by the end of the month.”
My heart sinks. That’s only two weeks away.
Harvey offers me a sad smile. He genuinely looks like he wishes he could fix this.
“Okay,” I say. “Let’s find the money, then.” I don’t have many options, but I have no choice.
Charlie is waiting exactly where I left him, and the sight of him is a relief. While everything is falling apart within me, he’s more solid than ever.
I always expected love to hit fast, like being thrown off a horse. One minute, all is right, and the next, the world is turned upside down.
In reality, it’s been slow. A gentle walk down a long path so smooth I didn’t notice how far I’d gone until I stopped and looked back.
It’s hard to pinpoint when I started loving Charlie. I only know that I do, and that it’s far from gentle. A part of it is soft and vulnerable, to be treated with care. But the rest?
Oh, it’s a force of nature.
Fierce and wondrous, deep and natural. Fighting it would be futile.
There’s a soft ache under my ribs, a muscle long unstretched, now unfurled between us.
Never could I have imagined it would feel so… endless. So energizing.
Never could I imagine I was capable of a love like this.
I’m happy to be surprised.
Charlie is playful and at times cocky, but he’s also quick-witted and more observant than he pretends to be.
He cares about Reese so much he loses sleep over it, but he would never burden her by saying anything. There are more dog toys than appliances in his apartment, a wardrobe James Bond would covet, and a box of mementos that makes my heart ache for him.
He’s a good man convinced he’s the muscle rather than the hero. Who quips and flirts and pretends he’s fine when, in reality, his feelings run rich.
And I know true wealth when I see it.