Redeemed (Dirty Air Series Book 4)

“Please tell me you’re joking.”

“I wish I was.” I press the button to start up the projector. The screen rolls down from the ceiling, and the lights dim on their own.

Money may not buy happiness, but it can buy moments like this with Chloe. I’ll take domestic bliss in my at-home movie theater any day over the real deal. Crowds aren’t my thing, and it’s not like I can hide my celebrity status from the world and go on a normal date.

Chloe stands from her side of the couch. “You’ve never seen Pretty in Pink? Like ever?”

“No.”

“Are you even human?”

“Unfortunately.”

She laughs and snatches the controller straight from my hands. “We must fix this.”

“Why?”

“Because that movie set my standards way too high for romance.”

Now, she has my attention. “Tell me more.”

“The whole reason I am obsessed with eighties movies in the first place is because my foster mom only had a VHS system—no cable TV.”

Well, this is a depressing start to her story.

“Brooke and I binged every tape she had over and over again. We still have a yearly marathon to this day to commemorate our childhood.”

“And what movies are your favorites?”

Her whole face lights up. “Pretty in Pink, no duh. And then The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Say Anything. I mean that scene with the boombox is one of my favorite movie scenes ever.” Her enthusiasm grows as she explains different movies I have no clue about.

I ask her questions just to hear her talk. It’s too much fun, watching her expressive face brighten every time I question something. Who knew being clueless about a topic could be this enjoyable? Chloe rolls her eyes when I make an obvious mistake and smiles when I remember a detail she shared a few minutes before.

Every damn second of the conversation is worth it.

I clear my throat. “We better get started if we ever plan on watching all these movies.”

“You want to see them?”

“Of course. I’m curious to see how someone woos a woman with a boombox outside of her house.”

“With a meaningful song, of course. Bonus points for nostalgia if you play ‘In Your Eyes.’”

“I’m mentally noting all of this.”

“Do you plan on wooing someone in the near future?”

“You never know. Someone told me wooing is important.” I grin.

She smiles to herself as she settles back onto the opposite end of the couch.

“You’re going to not only torture me with this movie but also by sitting far away? What kind of man do you take me for?”

“The kind who wants to make me happy?”

“What about my happiness?”

“Of course that’s important.”

I point to my empty side. “Then get your ass over here. I like to cuddle.”

She lets out an exaggerated huff and scoots over toward me. I place my arm on the back of the couch, giving her room to lean into me.

“A smooth guy would’ve made a move rather than forced me over here.”

“I’m crippled. Have pity on me.”

She pinches my side. “Don’t even try it.”

I laugh. “Why bother making a move when I know I’ll get what I want?”

That statement earns me a harder pinch right between two of my ribs.

“You’re awfully cocky.”

“Emphasis on the cock.”

She lets out an obnoxious laugh that leaves her wheezing. “Please stop. My heart can’t handle any more of this.”

The movie starts, interrupting us with the intro to Pretty in Pink. Chloe cuddles up to my side and rests her head against my chest.

I wrap my arm around her.

Yeah, I could definitely get used to this, chick flicks and all.

Chloe has officially infiltrated my home. Having her around is like living with constant temptation in the form of short shorts and hints of cleavage. She scatters her items around the house, and while it should frustrate me, it only makes me smile like an idiot when I find them. And I mean it. Her shit is everywhere, but it surprisingly keeps me grounded in a good way. The kind of way I want to hold on to and relive day after day.

Chloe is working her way so deep into my heart that I’m struggling to remember how life was without having her around. But the best part of having her around is I have yet to fall into my dark place again. For the first time in a long time, I feel happy. Truly, unequivocally happy. I look forward to waking up earlier than her and cooking breakfast before she runs off to work.

In the past few months I’ve known her, Chloe Carter has banished the monsters making my days dark, and replaced them with everything that makes her days special.

It’s not enough to have her here living under my roof. I want to cut a piece of my heart out and tuck Chloe inside, protecting her from the world.

She’s like a rainbow after the storm, and I’ll be damned if she fades away once the sun breaks through the clouds.