Redeemed (Dirty Air #4)(111)

“If you keep this up, we will never leave.”

“Is that the worst thing?”

He sighs. “I’d say no, but I put a little something together and I don’t want it to go to waste.”

Aw, how sweet. I step away, stopping my torture.

I look down at my T-shirt and skirt full of tiny daisies. “Am I dressed okay?”

“You look beautiful.”

“That was the best evasion technique I’ve ever heard.”

He laughs under his breath. “We better get going. It’s getting late.”

“It’s ten in the morning.”

“If you’re not early…”

“You’re late. Ugh. You’re getting predictable.”

“You won’t be saying that in an hour.”

Oh, shit.





“What are we doing in the middle of nowhere?”

Santiago parks the car off to the side of the dirt road we traveled down.

“I thought it was a good place for no one to hear your screams.”

A cold chill spreads across my skin. “Back to plotting my murder? I thought we moved past that plan once we started fake dating.”

“To be fair, you did eat the last Oreos.” He exits the car and grabs something from the trunk.

I clutch onto the door handle to open the door, but Santiago beats me to it. Whoever said chivalry was dead clearly hasn’t met the right man.

My eyes drop to the basket and the backpack Santiago carries in his hand. “A picnic?”

“Hmm.”

I squeal like a freaking schoolgirl because my boyfriend went out of his way to plan a picnic for me. “Oh my God. You’re such a softy.”

“My abs beg to differ.”

I snort. “You planned a picnic! That’s romantic. I thought that was only a thing in movies.”

“I’m committed to recreating some of the movies you love and making them better.”

I almost fall out of my seat from swooning too hard.

Santiago ushers me out of the car. He puts on the backpack and transfers the basket to one hand so he can grab onto mine.

We hike together through a short trail. It’s something out of a fairy tale, with a little creek and trees as far as the eye can see. The trail spits us out into a field.

“Whoa,” I whisper under my breath.

A field of wildflowers stretches on forever. Flowers of every color dance in the wind, swaying together in perfect harmony. There’s not a single soul nearby except for the birds chirping in the distance.

It’s absolutely stunning, and all I want to do is run through them. I resist the urge. “How did you find this place?”

“I have my ways.”

“It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s how I see you.” He looks down at me, his eyes reflecting an array of emotions.

Tears prick my eyes. Never in my life have I felt this loved and cherished. It’s a blessing to feel so damn important to someone, to the point that they make sure I know it every single day. Santiago Alatorre loves me in a way that most people spend their whole lives chasing. And I love him equally as much.

Santiago taught me how there’s a difference between want and need. I need him. Like the trees need sunlight or the ocean needs the tide. Being around him is becoming something fundamental for me.

He plucks a dandelion from the field and holds it up to me. “It might not be your journal, but the wish works just the same.”

My smile wobbles.

I shut my eyes and suck in a breath.

I wish Santiago achieves all his dreams because no one deserves it more than him.

I blow and open my eyes to find the hundreds of dandelion parts floating away. It’s a beautiful sight, like magic spreading across the land.

“Is it illegal for me to ask what you wished for?”

I laugh. “Yes, and don’t bother trying. Did you pack a blanket in that bag?”

He nods his head up and down. “It wouldn’t be a picnic without one according to my friends.”

If he continues to shock me, he might need to nail my jaw shut.

“You asked your friends about what supplies to bring?” I ask incredulously.

“No. They wouldn’t shut up when I told them what my plan was for today. Liam—you haven’t met him yet—was especially vocal, going off about all the supplies to make it special.”

I’m so proud of him for branching out again and talking more with his family and friends. He seems happier—lighter even.

Santiago sets everything up. He moves to grab our lunch out of the basket, but I place my hand over his.

“What is it?” He looks up at me.

I lean over and place a kiss on his pouty lips. “I want to show you something.”

“What?” His voice takes on a husky tone.

“It’s time I repaid a favor you did a while ago.”

His brows dart up. “You’ve got my attention. What do you want to show me?”

“How much I love you.” I push at his shoulders.

He follows my lead and lays down. I crawl over his body and cup one of his cheeks with my hand.

I kiss him with everything in me. Every emotion. Every memory of us. Every ounce of love I feel towards him. I’m desperate to show him how I feel like he did.