Page 91 of Darlin'

"Savannah..." Beau bites his lip. "You?—"

"I didn't mean to dampen the mood or anything," I say, brushing off his sudden low energy. I jump up, nodding to the shot-up cans. "Speed this time? Ten in ten? What do you say?"

"Uh—sure." Beau casts me a weak smile. "Let me make a call first."

"Don't be too long now," I call out after him as he walks away. "I'm itching to kick your butt again."

When Beau's out of sight, I fish out my cellphone and pull up my photo app. My choice—the list—stares me right in the face. It's silly that a digital photograph can change so many people's lives. Swallowing, my finger hovers over the trash icon. Andthen, I solidify my choice.

I make my decision, hoping the consequences aren't too painful.

"What are you thinking about?"Jesse asks, the moonlight casting a glow on his face as he brings me closer to his chest. "You've been really quiet all night." He curls a finger under my chin, lifting my head up. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong," I whisper, seeing a part of myself in his eyes. "If anything, everything feels...right." I lick my lips, snuggling against his warm, protective body. "I'm supposed to uh—I'm supposed to start school again in a few weeks here."

"School?"

"But I—I don't really know if I wanna go back to Alabama..." My pulse quickens as I attempt to gauge his reaction. He's pensive, deep in thought, gaze locked on the ceiling fan. "But...but I don't want to overstay my welcome either..." He swallows. "Jesse? What...what do you think I should do?"

"You want to stay here?" he asks, nodding. "In Hawkridge?" He faces me, his sharp features laced with soft pain. "I thought you hated it here."

"Things change," I whisper, stroking his stubbled cheek. "Don't they?"

"Sometimes without us even knowing," he breathes out. "Where would you stay?"

I narrow my eyes, unsure if he's suggesting I need to make other plans for accommodation. "Umm...I guess Ithought I could keep living here...with you." Regret stirs in my belly. "But if you don't want me?—"

"I want you," Jesse admits in a hushed, rough tone. "I want you, Savannah. I want you in a way I've never wanted anyone in my whole life, but I—I don't think you should want me. Me, this life, you're meant for greater things than this. You deserve better than me. I'm not?—"

A deep frown mars my brows. "I don't think you get to decide what I deserve. That's my choice to make, not yours. And I—I'm choosing you, Jesse. I'm choosing you, knowing exactly who you are, good and bad."

Jesse's jaw clenches as he shakes his head. "You don't know everything, princess. You don't?—"

"Then I'll learn," I say, hopeful that he'll let me. "I want to learn. I know that we've never defined what we have, but we have something, Jesse—we do. And I think with enough learning, enough effort, this thing we have could become something priceless."

He twists his neck, intense gaze searching my face for a semblance of hesitation, but I have none. In my words, I'm certain. I'm ready, and I'm willing. I've made my choice.

"I could break your heart," Jesse says, cupping my cheek as his warm breath fans against my lips. "I could?—"

"And I could break yours," I whisper. "I think that's a risk we're both taking."

"I...I misjudged you, Savannah. I thought you were—" He swallows. "I didn't know you'd be exactly what I needed in my life." His touch turns tender, terrifyingly intimate. "I'm sorry, Savannah, I'm truly sorry."

"For what?" I ask, expelling a soft giggle. "I judged youtoo, Jesse. I judged all of you. I'm the one who should be sorry. You and The Sons welcomed me like one of your own. I know that I don't fit the typical mold of a...uh—old lady, but if you're willing to give it a shot, then so am I."

"You really want to do this? With me?" he asks, tone raw and rumbling. "Think carefully about that, Savannah, because"—he arches down, feathering his lips against mine—"I don't think I'd ever let you go."

"I'm counting on that," I breathe, closing the distance between us and kissing him with promise, with confidence, with complete disregard for the potential consequences. Jesse rests his forehead against mine. "This feels right, Jesse. This feels like?—"

"A new beginning," he mumbles. "You and me."

I smile like I've never smiled before. "Us."

“Yes, princess.” He swallows. “Us."

"I'm sorry,"my momma says, scoffing, "the connection must be faulty because I didnotjust hear you say that you're going to stay in California."

"The connection's fine, momma." I sigh, throwing my head back. I knew this was how this phone call would go. "You heard what I said. I'm staying."

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