Chapter 75

Maya’s POV

“I really mean it, Maya. I didn’t plan to ambush you like that. I wanted everything to be normal and special—just like you are to me.” Elias finally spoke after fifteen long minutes of silent treatment.

I exhaled a weary sigh. “So where are we headed now?” I asked, breaking my silence.

He kept his eyes fixed on the road. “Somewhere that’s special to me.”

We drove in companionable quiet until we reached a secluded pond. No one else was around. We climbed out of the car and I drew in a deep breath of fresh air. The place was beautiful and peaceful. The clock on the dashboard read about 4:00 PM.

Elias stepped up beside me. “It’s perfect, isn’t it?”

I nodded, gazing at the still water broken only by ducks bobbing along and the occasional fish le