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Back The Companion Project Save as PDF
Chapters (89)
  1. Dedication
  2. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  3. ONE
  4. HENRY
  5. TWO
  6. EMMA
  7. THREE
  8. HENRY
  9. FOUR
  10. EMMA
  11. FIVE
  12. EMMA
  13. SIX
  14. SEVEN
  15. HENRY
  16. EIGHT
  17. NINE
  18. TEN
  19. HENRY
  20. ELEVEN
  21. TWELVE
  22. EMMA
  23. THIRTEEN
  24. HENRY
  25. FOURTEEN
  26. HENRY
  27. FIFTEEN
  28. SIXTEEN
  29. EMMA
  30. SEVENTEEN
  31. HENRY
  32. EIGHTEEN
  33. HENRY
  34. NINETEEN
  35. HENRY
  36. TWENTY
  37. TWENTY-ONE
  38. EMMA
  39. TWENTY-TWO
  40. EMMA
  41. TWENTY-THREE
  42. HENRY
  43. TWENTY-FOUR
  44. EMMA
  45. TWENTY-FIVE
  46. EMMA
  47. TWENTY-SIX
  48. EMMA
  49. TWENTY-SEVEN
  50. HENRY
  51. TWENTY-EIGHT
  52. EMMA
  53. TWENTY-NINE
  54. HENRY
  55. THIRTY
  56. HENRY
  57. THIRTY-ONE
  58. HENRY
  59. THIRTY-TWO
  60. EMMA
  61. THIRTY-THREE
  62. HENRY
  63. THIRTY-FOUR
  64. EMMA
  65. THIRTY-FIVE
  66. EMMA
  67. THIRTY-SIX
  68. HENRY
  69. THIRTY-SEVEN
  70. EMMA
  71. THIRTY-EIGHT
  72. HENRY
  73. THIRTY-NINE
  74. HENRY
  75. FORTY
  76. EMMA
  77. FORTY-ONE
  78. HENRY
  79. FORTY-TWO
  80. FORTY-THREE
  81. EMMA
  82. FORTY-FOUR
  83. EMMA
  84. FORTY-FIVE
  85. HENRY
  86. EPILOGUE
  87. ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
  88. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  89. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

“Because I noticed what you do when you’re nervous years ago and I always carry one in my pocket, just in case. I knew there wouldn’t be any disposable napkins tonight, only expensive cloth ones, and I didn’t want you to feel like you couldn’t clean up a mess if it happened.” She opens her mouth to speak, but I continue before she can interrupt. “No, it’s not obvious to anyone else, sweetheart. It’s not a big deal. I promise. You talk all the time about how I don’t see you. That’s so far from the truth. I can’t fucking look away, Emma. I see you. All of you. And I’m not afraid. If you think a nervous habit is going to deter me, think again. If you think having depressive thoughts is going to make me want to pack my bags, you’re wrong. If you think I expect you to be smiley all the time, nice try. You can try and push me away. Tell me how different we are. Say there’s no chemistry or heat between us. We both know that’s a lie, don’t we? You felt it upstairs in the bedroom. I feel it right now, staring at you, marveling at how fucking wonderful you are. I want you, and I think you want me, too. I’m not going anywhere, Sunflower. I want all your dreams, and all your nightmares, as well. I’m here for the long haul, and that includes accepting every single part of you, no matter how small. I’m in no rush.”

She blinks rapidly, and suddenly her eyes are wet with tears. Shit. That wasn’t the intended reaction I hoped to get. “I-I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“How can I not? You thought about me in advance. You carry bandages around with you, on the off chance you’re nearby when I go too far. Henry…” she trails off, resting her cheek on my shoulder. “Thank you. You… You’re so wonderful.”

“Anything for you, princess.”

Giving her knee a gentle squeeze, I turn my attention back to my parents, knowing Emma most likely doesn’t want to linger on what just occurred. I don’t either. I hope I didn’t go too far or say something that might push her away with that spontaneous admission. Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop.