Page 65 of Never Gonna Lie (Forbidden #2)

Chapter Sixty-Five

RAVEN

I have a rare day off today, so I chose to spend it catching up on some reading.

James is working, so it’s nice to have the quiet time.

My dad still won’t speak to me, it’s the longest we’ve gone in…

ever. Whenever we had a falling out as I was growing up, it was only ever for a couple of hours at most. One or the other would make the effort to say sorry, usually with some form of sweet treat, but somehow, I don’t think that’s going to cut it this time.

I don’t know if the whole kidnapping thing made me slam my walls up against Emma and not care so much about her and her actions, but my dad ? I don’t think I’ll ever get over that.

My phone rings, pushing those thoughts aside.

I don’t immediately jump for it, I like keeping James on his toes with the ‘will she, won’t she answer’ it makes for the best kind of punishments when he gets home.

The call stops and starts again. I finally glance down and realize it’s my dad.

I fumble a few times before I can swipe the screen to accept the call. “Dad? ”

“Hey, pumpkin. Have I caught you at a bad time, or do you have two minutes for your old dad?”

Tears gather at hearing his voice, and I suddenly feel hopeful. “Of course. I’ve always got time for you.”

He chuckles lightly. “Good. I don’t want to get into it too much right now, I just wanted you to know I’m sorry, and I love you.”

“I’m sorry, and I love you too,” I sob into the phone.

“Hush now, pumpkin. Everything’s going to be okay.

There’s a lot for us to talk about and work through.

I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea of you and James, but I also don’t want to be without you.

” He pauses, his voice shaky as he continues, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I won’t lose you over my stupid pride. ”

My dad’s everything to me, but so is James, and the fact that he’s going to try and be okay with us means the absolute world.

“I have some stuff I need to take care of, pumpkin. Things haven’t been… easy since… her but know that your old dad loves ya.”

“I’m here if you need me, Dad. I love you so much.”

“Love you, too.”

He hangs up, and I bury my face in my hands, sobbing at the relief I feel. Relief that everything’s finally over. Relief that my dad and I are okay, and relief that I can finally start the life I’ve always dreamed of, with the man I love.

I hear the door opening, and I jump off the sofa, the documentary on penguins forgotten—I don’t know how I ended up watching it, I just did—and run to the front door.

My feet skid on the tiles as I get to the main foyer, stopping just as James walks through the door. I squeal and jump into his arms, he catches me easily, and I pepper his face with kisses.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he laughs. “What’s going on? Not that I’m complaining—this is a great way to be greeted when I get home.”

I pull away from him, grinning from ear to ear. “My dad called.”

James matches my grin with one of his own. “He did? That’s great news, baby.”

“Uh huh.” I nod. “I think we’re gonna be okay.”

He tucks a hair behind my ear as he says, “I never had any doubt, pretty girl. Your dad loves you more than anything in the world; he just needed a kick up the ass to remember it.”

I squint my eyes and point a finger at him. “What did you do?”

James kisses me softly. “Told him how amazing you were and that if he didn’t do something about it, that he’d lose you forever.” He shrugs, and my heart expands with more love for this man than I can ever describe.

“You went to see my dad? For me?”

He chuckles. “Why are you so surprised, Raven? I love you, of course, I’m gonna go and knock some sense into him if he upsets you.”

I wriggle in his arms, trying to get down.

Once my feet hit the floor, I put some breathing space between us.

That’s the second time he’s said he loves me; the first I thought was a one-off, but now I’m not so sure.

The way it rolled off his tongue so easily makes me think he actually means it.

I haven’t wanted to pressure him so I left it, not wanting to scare him but now? I have to know.

“Right, time out.” I put my hands on my hips. “Truth time.”

James raises an eyebrow at me. “Okaaay,” he drawls. “Why don’t I like the sound of this? ”

“You know I love you, right?” He nods his head, a ‘where the fuck are you going with this’ look on his face. “You’ve said it twice now,” I point out, and he nods again, the same expression still firmly etched in place. “But you haven’t actually said it… to me .”

“Said what? That I love you?” He rubs the back of his neck as he contemplates what I’ve just said. “Hmm, I guess I haven’t,” he agrees.

Taking a step toward me and pulling me in close, he kisses me. When he pulls back his eyes shine with so much love, my breath catches.

“I love you, Raven Diane Carter. You’re everything that’s good in the world, all wrapped up in one package.

Your smiles light up my days, your laughter fills my chest with warmth and your kind heart makes me feel like the best kind of man, even when I don’t deserve it.

I know you’ve loved me for a while, I’m just sorry it took me so long to catch up.

But I’m here, pretty girl, loving you with everything that I have and everything that I am. ”

I small sob escapes me, a smile so wide on my face it’s starting to ache.

He loves me .

“I spent so long telling myself that I didn’t have feelings for you, that you were just my best friend's daughter, but you’ve always been so much more than that.

You’re the air that breathes life into me.

The fire to my ice. The angel to my demon.

You are everything , Raven Carter, and I love you with every single part of my existence.

“I’m not perfect, I’m gonna fuck up… just ask Theo,” he chuckles, and I offer my own watery laugh. “But I’ll do everything and anything to make you happy. I’m never gonna lie to you again. You’re it for me, forever and always. ”

I launch my sobbing mess of a self at him, kissing him with all the love I have to give, because whoever said happily ever afters don’t exist has obviously never met James Smith before.

The end