7 Salt & Garland #2
I prop myself up on my elbows. I’ve heard pieces of this story before. But never like this.
“I went into your room to check on you. You were sprawled across the bed sideways.” A small smile touches his mouth. “You had one sock on and one sock off. Your blanket was halfway to the floor.”
“Sounds about right.”
He nods. “I gave you a kiss on the forehead and watched you sleep for a few minutes. I remember just sitting there listening to you breathe. It was so peaceful, like time didn’t exist in your room.”
The wind rustles the umbrella above us.
“I knew you wouldn’t stay little forever,” he says. “One day, you’d grow up, leave home, build a life of your own.” His jaw tightens. “I just didn’t realize that would be the last time I’d get to see you that small.”
Silence settles between us again.
“The thing that bothered me most, was that I couldn’t remember the last time I held you as a little girl.” He shakes his head.
“I can remember holding you plenty of times. Carrying you, lifting you onto my shoulders. But I wanted that last moment. That final time.” His gaze drops to the sand.
“You think you have more of it, that there’s always another chance.
I never expected you to be taken from me. That our time would be taken.”
My heart aches for him, for us. The time we lost. The memories we’ve both been holding onto. The scent of waffles, a sock missing on my foot. Without really thinking about it, I sit up. Lean over and wrap my arms around him. He stills.
Then his arms come around me slowly, pulling me into a tight hug. His chin rests lightly against the top of my head.
“Well, dad… good thing, we’re starting to make up for all that lost time.
I don’t plan on going anywhere, and I’m absolutely down for more beach days,” I mumble against his shoulder.
A quick laugh escapes him, rough around the edges.
“Beach days, miniature golf, horse riding. There’s a long list in my dad's arsenal.”
When we finally pull apart, he rubs a hand over the back of his neck.
“You know,” he says gruffly, clearing his throat. “I think I’m going to go for that swim now.”
I grin, flopping back onto my towel. “Don’t drown, old man.”
He snorts. “I’m not that old.”
Why did I agree to this?
The mall is absolutely decked out for Christmas. Cheery music drifts through the air, lights twinkling overhead. Garland wraps every railing. Store windows glow with festive displays.
But it's packed.
You’d think a high-end mall wouldn’t be this crowded.
When Dakota suggested we all go out Christmas shopping together, it hadn’t sounded so terrible. Maeve and I have spent so much time in malls— mostly wandering around to kill time.
A shiver slips down my spine as a memory surfaces.
One of the last times I was in a mall.
It's Christmas, Iz. Stay here.
I shove the thoughts away.
Dakota leads the charge, dragging us into store after store with relentless enthusiasm. I'm honestly surprised the guys even agreed to come.
To shop with money is still a crazy experience to me. I’m not sure I'll ever get used to it.
Though with Luca's help, I've managed to sneakily purchase every item Maeve has touched. Noah keeps her distracted every time while Luca adds to our growing pile of bags.
"Iz, you have to try this on!" Dakota squeals as she shoves a dark burgundy dress into my hands and practically throws me into a dressing room.
I sigh, remembering the Halloween dance. There was no point in arguing with her.
I slip into the dress, the cool silk gliding over my skin. The zipper slides up the side with no resistance. I pull my hair over my shoulder, admiring it in the mirror.
It's a simple slip dress, the fabric skimming my curves while still loose enough to breathe.
She wasn't wrong. It's a beautiful dress.
I open the door and step out, heading toward the larger mirror in the hallway.
"Dakota?" I call as I turn the corner.
Jace leans against the wall, arms crossed. Maeve sits in the little velvet chair against the wall.
"Iz, you look gorgeous!" Maeve jumps to her feet.
"Thanks." I smooth a hand over the dress.
“Maeve,” Noah says as he steps into the area. His eyes scan over me quickly. “Pretty.”
I give him a small smile.
“I need you to help me find Luca, I lost him.” Noah sighs, pinching his nose.
“I feel like you just told me you lost our child.” Maeve giggles. “Alright, let’s go.”
Maeve winks at me before slipping out and Noah follows.
I turn toward the mirror, tugging lightly at the sides of the dress. My eyes meet Jace’s reflection. He pushes off the wall and prowls toward me.
Heat prickles across my skin as his gaze drags over my body.
He stops just behind me. Goosebumps erupt along my arms despite the warmth radiating from him. His fingers brush the side of my neck, gently moving my hair away from my face and sliding it lightly over my shoulder.
My eyes flutter closed. His breath ghosts against my ear as he leans down.
"You look…” he swallows, “breathtaking,” he murmurs, his voice low and private. "That dress was made for you."
I turn to face him, heat creeping into my cheeks. "It’s just a dress, Ravencourt."
"I disagree." A small smile tugs at his mouth as his fingers drift along my collarbone.
"Jace…“My voice comes out breathier than I intend.
"That's the perfect sort of dress for dinner with me. But first, you'd have to let me take you on a starter date. Training wheels to help acclimate you to the experience dating me provides.”
I blink.
"What?" For a second, I’m sure I misheard him.
"You’ve been hiding all this,” he gestures, “for far too long. I’ve got missed opportunities to make up for.” His smile softens, unexpectedly sincere. “Let me start by taking you out on a proper date." He lifts a brow. "I'm a gentleman, after all."
I scoff. "You're a caveman. Mr. You're mine."
He chuckles, the sound warm and low.
"For you, I'll be a gentleman."
His gaze drifts down the length of the dress again before returning to my face.
“Though in this dress,” he adds quietly, “I’d agree to just about anything."
I open my mouth to respond, but at that moment, Dakota barrels out of the dressing room at the end of the hall like the Tasmanian devil.
"Oh. Em. Gee.” She claps her hands together. “You look amazing. I knew you would." She gives me a smug little smile.
"What do you think of mine, Jace?" Dakota spins, the tight sequined dress flashing under the lights like a human disco ball.
”I think you’re confusing me for someone who cares.” Jace doesn't even spare her a glance.
Dakota gasps. “Excuse me? You can’t talk to me like that.”
“I can talk however I want. You’re ruining my view.”
“Of what?” She snarls.
“Her.”
“Asshole,” Dakota mutters, swiftly stomping past us down back to her changing room.
My mouth hangs open as I stare back at him. My pulse stumbles.
"No one else matters, except you, Iz."
I’ve successfully managed to get a present for everyone without their knowledge. Maeve and I get hot chocolates while the others get coffee. Dakota is leading the charge, bouncing from kiosk to kiosk to check out the deals.
I'm not even sure she's Christmas shopping anymore.
"Wow." I hear her as she comes running up to us. "You have to smell this. I just got it!"
The mall suddenly feels too small. Too warm. Too—
A scent cuts through the air.
My lungs stutter.
Perfume.
Not the light kind people dab at their wrists. This one is thick. Powdery. It clings to the back of my throat.
My stomach drops. Everything disappears. All sounds fall away. “Smellin’ like some little rich bitch.” The words echo somewhere in the back of my head. The laughing track fills my ears. My fingers tighten around my cup.
No.
Not here, not now.
Someone brushes past us and the scent hits me again—stronger this time.
My chest locks. The floor tilts.
“Iz?” Maeve’s voice drifts toward me, distant.
I can’t answer. The smell wraps around me like a hand around my throat.
“Are you going to be a good little girl for your daddy?” Laughter. More laughter.
My pulse spikes so fast it hurts.
No, no—
“Iz.” Jace’s voice.
Close.
I blink, but the lights above smear together.
My breath comes out shallow. “I—”
My hand reaches blindly for the wall. Something, to help hold me up. I don’t make it. The floor throws me off and suddenly my feet aren’t touching it anymore.
Strong arms catch me before I can land.