Redeemed (Dirty Air 4)

She bites her lip and nods.

“You’re sharing your wish journal with me?” My voice sounds as incredulous as I feel. “Why?”

“I think the phrase you’re looking for is ‘thank you.’” She bumps her shoulder into mine.

“I’m surprised.”

“It’s no big deal. Really.” She rolls her eyes.

I look over at her with a raised brow.

“Okay, it’s a slightly big deal.” She pinches her fingers together, leaving a centimeter gap.

“You’re going to let me steal a wish?”

“Stealing means you’re taking without asking. In reality, I’m giving away one for free.”

“Why?”

Chloe loves this journal, and I want to push her to realize why this is a big deal to her. To realize she cares more than basic infatuation or lust or friendship. I’m desperate for her to realize she loves me. Her actions scream it, yet the words never make it past her lips. I never thought I would crave this kind of affection from someone who does not give it willingly. But damn if it hasn’t made Chloe all that more interesting, making me work for it.

Chloe runs a finger across the yellowed page. “I care a lot about you.”

Okay…that’s something at least.

She continues. “And you deserve to have your biggest wish granted.” She grabs her pen and writes something across the page.

I wish that the Formula Corp lets Santiago Alatorre race again.

“Now it’s settled. Obviously you’re going to drive with Bandini next year. This journal doesn’t fool around. I can promise you that.”

“Can I write something too?” I blurt out.

Her lips form an O. She pauses before nodding and handing me the pen. I move to write on the page, but her hand covers mine.

“Wait.” She flips the page to a blank one.

“Why did you do that?”

“New page, new wish. I don’t make the rules.”

I laugh to myself as I write down my wish. The one I’ve been thinking about for quite a while now.

I wish that Chloe Carter falls in love with someone worthy of her eighties-loving heart. That she finds that soul-crushing, heart-mending, passion-fueled love. A love that leaves her desperate for more because nothing that amazing should ever be done in moderation. The same love I found with her.

I drop the pen, and it rolls into the middle of the notebook.

Chloe looks down at the page, remaining silent.

“When you’re quiet, it’s never a good thing.” I nudge her shoulder.

“That’s your wish?”

“I wrote it, didn’t I?”

She pinches my side, right in the spot that makes me wince. “Asshole.”

“Aw, from you, I’ll take it as a term of endearment.”