Page 148 of Mine

“I’ll be picking you up,” I said. “If your flight info changes, just let me know.”

“Of course. And… I’ll send you photos.”

I raised a brow. “What kind of photos?”

“Oh, you know. The fun kind.”

She leaned up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against mine. I kissed her hard and fast and didn’t draw back until we were both breathless.

“Okay,” I said. “Be safe. Text me when you land.”

“I will. One more kiss.”

I kissed her once more and then stepped back, smiling as I shut the trunk. She pulled up the handle on her suitcase and waved as she headed towards the doors.

I hated watching her go. I’d be counting down the days until she was home.

Pepper disappeared into the airport. A honk broke my reverie and I sighed, getting into the driver's seat and pulling out into traffic.

A new normal was starting to set in, and I loved it. I loved everything about it.

I lovedher.

She was smart and driven and funny and loved music the same way I did. And the longer I knew her, the more certain I was that everything would work out for the better. I was hopeful.

Maybe the curse was finally lifting.

The drive out to Nancy and Beth’s went by fast. I pulled into the driveway and got out, stretching with a groan. I doubted Beth would be up this early to work, but I was ready to get a start on the day. It’d keep me distracted from thinking about Pepper too much.

I drew in a breath of fresh air and darted to the garage. I unlocked the door, stepped inside, and flipped on the lights. Some of the pieces we’d been working on were close to being finished, but today I was making Pepper’s collar.

Turning on the space heaters, I headed to my work table and rolled my shoulders. The leather was sitting on my table already, thanks to Beth or Nancy.

Working with leather was completely different than working with wood. But like working with wood, every single thing I did was with intention. With Pepper centered in my mind, I dove into the process fully, the creativity of it consuming me.

It was like when I played guitar. I got lost in the moment, the entire world slipping away. Time didn’t have any meaning. It was just me and the process of creating something new.

All I felt was happiness in making something for her.

I’d picked out a heart ring that would sit at the center against her throat. It was a little typical maybe, but I didn’t care. It meant something to me.

Over the last few weeks, I’d learned a lot about myself. I’d learned a lot about what I wanted. As I prepared for my life to change with the record deal, I found myself savoring the quiet moments I had now.

If everything went well with Rosethorn, then I wasn’t sure what to expect in the coming months.

But I knew Pepper would be in it.

And that was enough to soothe my nerves about big changes.

“Someone is up early.”

I was pulled out of my thoughts as Beth approached, putting a cup of coffee down next to me.

“You’re a saint,” I said.

“I know,” she chuckled, her gaze moving to the collar. “Mmm. Someone is lucky. I take it that’s for Pepper?”

“Yes,” I said, glancing down at the strips of leather I was debossing with a floral pattern.

---