Page 129 of The Runaway

“Some things are more important to you than they are to me. This way, we both get what we want.”

“Bye, P.”

I purse my lips. “Goodbye Troy. And good luck…not just with your campaign.”

The phone clicks off and I take a moment, breathing in the cool air.

“How’s Charlie?” Chase asks, coming up behind me, wrapping me in his arms.

“She’s going to lay into me about the check tomorrow, I just know it.” I look down at the phone before handing it to him with a wince. “I called someone else after I got off with her.”

He swipes and looks at the D.C. area code on the screen, then flicks his gaze back to me. “You okay?”

I nod with a smile. “We’re good.”

He kisses the top of my head and takes my hand. “Walk with me for the sunset?”

“Something on your mind?” I ask as we stroll down to the town park.

“Yeah.” He stops walking and twists me. “I’m sorry I left you that weekend, knowing they were out looking for you.”

My smile fades. I’d almost forgotten about that.

He sighs. “I don’t know what’s worse, letting you think I abandoned you or—” He swallows hard, looking at his feet. Something I’ve never seen him do.

“Or what?”

“Or confirm your nightmares.”

“You’re not making any sense.”

“Pepper, the reason I left with Noah that day is because—we’re looking for your parents.”

A rush of air escapes my lungs, and my eyes widen. “They’re—”

“I don’t know. But I believe you when you say it wasn’t them in the car. And…I want to find them for you.”

My eyes sting.

“We were following a lead and—”

“You found them?”

He breathes out, sadly, taking my hands. “No. But we’re getting close.”

I sniffle and he cups my face. “I almost lost you because I kept something from you. I’m not making that mistake again, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I wish I had more to tell you, but we don’t know much.”

I nod and throw my arms around him. “Thank you.”

After a long moment, he pulls back, holding that gorgeous ring between us. “Maybe one day, we’ll find them and I can ask his permission to have you forever. But…in the meantime…” He takes my hand and waits for me.

I nod. “Yes, please. I’ll never take it off again,” I promise him before he slides it onto my finger.

“You can wear it but I’m not proposing officially.”

“You’re not?”

He shakes his head. “When I do, the timing will be perfect. It will be in front of all our friends and family. And…I’ll be down on one knee.”