Page 135 of Don't Go Faking My Heart
I think back to our last Founder's Day celebration. "Got it. Thanks, Chick."
I park in the alley and run all the way to Chick's dock. Soon, I'm rowing a small fishing boat down the river to the Janes' place. The sun is low on the horizon and unfortunately in front of me. It's not in my favor, but I’ll be able to see well enough to make it to the dock, which is fast approaching.
"I really love this place," I hear Ash say as I’m getting close.
“It’s beautiful,” Lou agrees.
What is she doing outside? I stick an oar into the river, slowing my progress so I can think.
I had a whole plan. I was going to run into the house, drop to my knees, and beg her to give me another chance after I was so dumb. I even brought my sketchbook to show her how much I love her, how much she’s impacted me.
But she’s here, now.
And I don’t care about a stupid plan. I care about her.
I’m ten yards from her dock, and the little boat is rocking. “Ash!” I yell, standing up in the boat.
“Rusty?” she calls.
I can’t wait another moment. I drop the anchor and dive into the water fully clothed. The river is clear enough that I can see Ash standing at the dock. With swift, strong strokes, I pull myself through the water until I reach the dock. I plant my hands on the wood. My white T-shirt clings to me as I heft myself up onto the dock. Ash looks at me with her mouth hanging open.
She's staring into my eyes.
"Hotcakes—"
"My abs are down here," I say, and she laughs and glances down, as if I've finally given her permission.
When she bites her thumbnail, I stride forward, slicking my hair back.
Her eyes widen and darken at the same time. "What are you doing?"
"What I should have done a year ago," I say.
I grab her around the waist, pull her tight, and kiss her.
I kiss the ever-loving heck out of her.
When we’re both breathless, I pull back to see that she’s almost as wet as I am. I put my hand on her neck with my thumb grazing her earlobe. Her breathing is so quick, mine races to catch it.
"Since the moment I met you, you brought color into my world. I saw hues that I never realized existed and?—"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I saw your sketchbook back at the house. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, too. Now shut up and give momma some waffles, Farm B?—."
She finishes the last words with my lips on hers, and we both laugh as the sound echoes in our connected mouths. A wave of warmth washes over me when she slides her hands over my wet back. But I'm laughing too hard to deepen the kiss.
"Give momma some waffles?" I ask.
She giggles. "What? That was a great line!"
"But you call me Hotcakes, not Waffles," I say, kissing her neck.
"But you told me to look at your abs," she argues, her hands moving up to my hair. I love how much she loves my hair.
"I'm wearing a shirt. It's not like?—"
"You entered a wet T-shirt contest and won, bro. Quit playing. You know they're showstoppers."
I kiss up her neck and along her jaw until I nip at her earlobe. "The show's just startin', Gorgeous," I say.
