You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(28)

“I understand. I was the same way when I met my wife’s parents. I assumed they would hate me because I was an uneducated tattoo artist.”

“Did they?” I asked.

“Nope. They didn’t have a problem with it.”

“Well, that’s nice.”

“But I have to admit, selling weed is a little different.” He chuckled. “For one, it’s illegal. And two, well…let’s just say I hope you keep my daughter away from that aspect of your life.”

“I never bring her around that stuff,” I said. “I keep her safe.”

“But, you will need to find something else someday. At least if you want Silke to stick around…”

“I do want her to stick around.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll find your way.” He clapped my shoulder and squeezed it. “Not all of us are born into the same playing field. Some are born in trenches and others are in palaces. But that doesn’t mean you can’t change where you end up.”

I looked at him and noticed the blue color of his eyes. They looked like Silke’s.

“And you can end up wherever you want.”

“Yeah…that’s true.”

“Come back up when you’re ready.” He stood and headed up the stairs.

“Sir?”

He stopped then turned around. “Call me Ryan. When you call me sir, I sound like a douche.”

I chuckled then faced him. “My dad left my mom when she was pregnant. Then she became a prostitute. Then she left me altogether. I lived in an orphanage until I was eighteen…because no one wanted to adopt me. I’ve been on my own since I was eleven.”

He stared at me but his face was unreadable. I knew my words hurt him.

“You shared something personal with me…I wanted to reciprocate.”

He descended the stairs until he was close to me. Then he pulled me in for a hug. “You make your own family, Arsen. Remember that.”

No man had ever hugged me before, especially in a familial way. It took me a moment to process what was happening. Then I returned the embrace, feeling my heart slow down. I was practically a stranger to him, but he gave me more love than I’d ever known.

He pulled away and patted me on the shoulder. “You’re a good kid. I know it.”

“Thank you for raising Silke,” I blurted. “She…saved my life.”

He smirked. “I know she’s great. I couldn’t be prouder.”

“And thank you for…everything.” I took a deep breath and kept a straight face. “For the gifts, your generosity, your warmth, not judging me for what I do for money, and…giving me the best Christmas I’ve ever known.”

“Arsen, that joy is only beginning.” He winked then walked up the stairs.

I stood still, feeling my heart slow. For the first time, Christmas didn’t hurt so much.

***

When I returned to the apartment, they were gathered in the living room watching a Christmas movie. Mugs of hot cocoa were on the coffee table, marshmallows floating on top.

I moved to the spot beside Silke.

She turned her look on me and examined my face. Her gaze lingered on mine for a long time before she dropped it. Then her arm hooked through mine and she rested her head on my shoulder.

The second we touched, I felt warm inside. The constraints around my heart loosened every single time. With her, I felt hope. With her, I actually believed I could start over. I could be happy.

“Have you seen this movie?” she whispered.

“No.”

“It’s good.”

Slade was laying on the other couch texting on his phone. His feet were propped up on the armrest. Her parents both snuggled into a recliner with a blanket over them. The lights from the Christmas tree twinkled in the corner.

I didn’t care about the movie. All I cared about was the moment. I knew I’d look back on this someday and cherish it. It was my first Christmas.

When it became late, Janice fell asleep on top of Ryan.

“My wife can never stay awake.” He chuckled then picked her up. “Night. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night,” I said.

Slade ignored them and kept playing on his phone. When they were gone, he stood up and walked into his bedroom without saying a word. Now it was just Silke and I on the couch.

“Ready for bed?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

She sat up and yawned. Then she turned off everything.

After we walked into her bedroom, she locked the door then undressed.

“Should we leave the door open?” I didn’t know the rules for this type of thing.

“No.” She pushed my jacket off my shoulders then yanked my shirt off.

“Maybe we should…”

She pulled my shirt over her head then ran her fingers through my hair. “No.”

“They’re cool with that?” I asked incredulously.

“I’m an adult.” She pulled the covers back and got inside. “They understand that.”

Her parents were the mellowest people I’d ever known. I eyed my bag then opened it.

“Come to bed,” she whispered.

I pulled out a package then got in beside her. “Merry Christmas.”