Inferno - Chelle Bliss by Chelle Bliss

“Are you going to read that?”

“Eventually. It’s the last thing of hers. The last words I’ll ever have from her. I don’t know if I’m ready.”

I pull her close to my side, walking in step. “You’ll know when the time is right.”

She leans into me, feeling more relaxed…almost lighter than when we walked in. “I don’t think life can get better than this.”

But I know she’s wrong, and I’m about to prove it to her.





EPILOGUE





OPAL





The last six months have gone by in a blur.

My nightmares have subsided, only haunting me on days I’m overly tired. I do my best not to let that happen because reliving that day is far too taxing on me.

Stone has continued to be patient. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I never expected him to love me the way he does, but after watching how his father loves his mother, it’s not the least bit surprising.

I’m still working for Tamara, loving having a partner to bounce ideas off when I worry I’m in a creative rut.

And then there’s Stone’s family. They’ve made me feel like I was always meant to be one of them. I don’t feel awkward around them or like I don’t belong. It’s almost hard for me to remember what life was like before I met them. And that’s saying something.

“Babe,” Stone says. “What’s wrong?”

I turn my head, staring at him blankly, lost in thought. “What?”

He brushes my hair over my shoulder as he studies my face. “I’ve said your name three times, and you didn’t reply.”

I shake away the cobwebs and memories. “I was thinking about this—” I wave my hand toward his family, who are spread out everywhere at his grandmother’s house “—and how freaking lucky I am.”

Stone’s fingertips find my cheek, touching me ever so lightly. “I’m the lucky one.”

I smile at him, wishing we could have more than a lifetime together. “I love you,” I breathe.

“I love you too.” Stone smiles, making my stomach flutter. I don’t know how that’s still possible after all this time, but it is.

“Well, aren’t you two adorable,” Aunt Fran says as she walks by carrying a tray of cannoli. “Giving me cavities from all the sweetness.” She sends me a wink, letting me know she’s happy for me.

“Stop, Auntie,” Stone warns in a teasing tone to Aunt Fran as she passes us.

She’s become a staple in my life. She’s taken me under her wing and become something of a mother figure to me. She calls me every single day to check on me and find out how my life is going. That’s something I’ve never had as an adult, and while other people may think it’s annoying, I love it.

“You want to go for a walk?” he asks.

“You want to leave?”

I’m comfortable, and I look forward to Sunday dinner every week. Being surrounded by so many people, all of whom I love and love me too, it’s more than I ever thought possible.

Stone laughs, shaking his head. “I need to stretch my legs a bit.”

“Oh, okay,” I say, but I’m not overly excited about leaving the comfort of the air conditioning.

The sun is exceptionally strong today, and the humidity is off the charts. The thought of walking into the extreme heat makes me sweat before I even step outside.

“We’ll be back before they break out dessert,” he promises, climbing to his feet.

When he holds out his hands, I take them, knowing I’m going wherever he does. “I don’t want to miss a cannoli.”

“Are they your favorite?”

“Only the ones with the ends dipped in chocolate.”

Stone stops near the dining room, where Fran is placing the tray of cannoli on the table. “Fran, save Opal a chocolate one, ’kay?”

She nods. “You got it. You guys going somewhere?”

“A walk,” Stone says as I slide my sunglasses over my eyes, readying myself for the brightness.

They exchange a look, one I can’t place, even though I thought I’d learned all their looks by now.

“Take your time. Your cannoli is safe with me,” she tells him.

“Thanks, Aunt Fran,” I tell her, walking as slowly as I possibly can as Stone drags me toward the door.

“We’re only walking down to the Gulf and back. Anything longer and we’d melt.”

“I may melt before then,” I tell him as I’m blasted by the heat as soon as he opens the door.

“Damn,” he mutters, stepping into the sun and looking every bit like a Greek god. “It’s awful out here.”

“You want to skip it?” I’m hoping like hell that he says yes, but he kills all that when he shakes his head.

“We’ll be back in fifteen.”

Fifteen minutes is a long time to walk around in the recesses of hell. That’s what Florida feels like in the middle of summer. Everyone thinks June is bad, but they haven’t met mid-August.

“We should jog.”

He turns his head, looking at me like I have three heads. “You want to jog?”

I shrug. “It’ll go faster.”

“But you hate exercise.”