Chapter 53

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

Luke told Brooklyn that he was in love with me right after I ran from his apartment.

We pieced that together last night as he fed me lasagna that he’d smuggled into my hospital room.

He was sitting in the bed with me, recounting the morning I overheard him and his ex.

Luke left this apartment with me even though he had time before his shift. He was headed to Bryant Park to sit on a bench so he could feel close to his birth mother, Gaia. Then he went to a café where his mom, Irena, would take him for hot chocolate.

He explained that sometimes he needs those quiet moments with both of the women who had played integral roles in who he is.

After that, he ran an errand and then headed home to drop something off before work. It was there that he ran into Brooklyn on the sidewalk outside of his building.

What I heard was a small portion of a much larger conversation about Auggie and me.

Luke told me they battled about what was best, but he explained to Brooklyn that he’d moved on but wanted a place in Auggie’s life. She broke down, telling him that Auggie cried himself to sleep every night because he missed Luke so much.

It was later that day that she agreed to let Luke adopt the boy he considers his son.

“Luke wanted to take you home, but he had something to take care of.” Joel winks at me as a taxi approaches where we’re standing outside of the hospital.

I was disappointed that he wasn’t here when I was released, but Joel is filling in nicely.

Joel steps toward the back door of the cab and swings it open.

I gasp when I see Luke with a suit on. It’s the same suit he was wearing the day we met. He slides toward me until he’s out of the car with his arms wrapped around me.

“Hey, Afton!” The driver calls me by name.

I almost trip over my own feet when I realize it’s Mandy. “Is this real?”

She points a finger at Luke. “He cleans up nicely, doesn’t he?”

“How?” I question becausehow in the helldid Luke track her down?

Mandy shrugs. “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Are you ready to go home?” Luke questions with a lift of his brow. “Our chariot awaits.”

“I’ll see you two at home later,” Joel stresses the last word. “I gave my key to the stunner for tonight, so I wouldn’t interrupt any of the welcome home festivities.”

Luke’s hand dives into the front pocket of his pants to jingle a set of keys.

I laugh. “Looks like we’re all set.”

“After you, Afton.” Luke holds out a hand to help me into the taxi. “I can’t wait to get you home.”