Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 158

When I stopped in front of the car, a wave of anxiety and apprehension wrapped around me. I felt like I was suffocating, and it took me a minute to catch my breath. Though it was hot, I hadn't been sweating that much until now. I realized as Drew turned to look at me that I hadn't been in a car since my ride home from the hospital. "We don't have to go, beautiful," Drew said. I stared at him before blinking slowly. Drew was standing by the open car door, his worried gaze on me. I blew out a breath as I rubbed my hand against my chest. "I'm fine. I can't let myself be afraid of cars,"

Drew's smile softened, and his eyes held only love and encouragement. I climbed into the car, slid my seat belt into place, adjusted it so it would now lay across my bruise, and then waited for Drew to climb in. "You good?" He asked once he was in the driver's seat. I grinned.

"Yes! Let's get your birthday started."

We headed north, away from our house. The trees grew more plentiful the further we drove, and I swear the air cooled down. We were about ninety minutes into our trip when Drew pulled into a rest stop. I got out and stretched before heading to the restroom. When we both came out, I looked at Drew.

"So, do I get to know where we're going now?"

He just chuckled before kissing the tip of my nose and my lips.

"Nope, but we are almost there."

know, I should be the one surprising you for your birthday," I pointed out. Drew

for a minute. It didn't take us long until we were off the highway and driving through a charming

and the cutest little main street I had ever seen. Part of me was dying to stop and explore, while the rest of me just wanted to know where we

we were suddenly in an open area in front of a vast mansion. Wings came off of both sides, with cobble-stone walkways and patios in front of them. The upper floors had balconies, and enormous windows decorated the whole building. Instead of stopping in front, Drew drove around the building to a nearby parking area. Once there, he pulled into a parking space. He

joy on his face sent

a pretty

had me laughing even as he winked. The air out here was cooler than back home and just a little more humid, and all I could smell was

passed through a gallery with artwork I couldn't wait to return and explore. The lady at the front desk greeted us and took Drew's credit card and driver's license. Then she told us

known where we

a soft sigh. "Can we leave our bag here while we grab

said. "I'll text you as soon as the room is

with the bell staff and wandered into the restaurant. The wide doors at the end were open to the outside, and the ceiling fans

we finished, I was ready for a nap, but we didn't have a room yet, so we walked around the over one-hundred-acre property. The hotel also hosted several famous authors and presidents. It had been modernized but still focused on comfort and luxury. They