Page 79 of Mountain Freedom
“Okay,” I called out, still hesitant—but determined to try. “Just a second.”
I stepped away from the edge and let out a breath. I pulled my sundress off, feeling ridiculously exposed in my bra and panties. It was hard to believe I was the same girl who’d once skinny dipped with my friends without thinking a thing about it. Not today. I thanked my lucky stars I had chosen a thick navy-blue matching set that didn’t show anything more than a bikini.
But I was going to do this. Maybe not with the enthusiasm and running leap Jackson had, but I was going to do it. Unlike him, I knew that serious—even fatal—injuries could happen from diving short distances. But I also knew those typically happened because someone attempted a trick and hit the water wrong or dove into an area that was too shallow or had obstacles.I wouldn’t dive or do tricks. I would jump feet first and keep myself straight. Plus, Jackson was waiting at the bottom.
It was only fifteen feet. But it felt like an enormous leap of faith.
I walked back to the edge and looked down at him, focusing on his easy grin as he treaded water, waiting on me. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes.
And jumped.
For an exhilarating second I was flying. Surrounded by warm sunshine, the world was bright, even with my eyes closed. Then my feet broke the water and the world turned dark as I plunged into the lake. My body took over and I swam up, my head breaking the surface in less time than it had taken to sink into it.
I emerged and took a breath, wiping the water from my eyes.
“Well?” Jackson asked, swimming over to me.
“It was amazing,” I said, grinning back at him.
His eyes met mine and time seemed to stop. The sunlight danced on the water like diamonds sparkling on the surface. My heart pounded from the thrill of what I had just done—and from the thrill of being here with him. Alone, in a sparkling paradise.
I knew what was happening. My brain was currently enjoying a cocktail of dopamine, adrenaline, and endorphins. The safe thing to do was wait until the chemicals passed before making any moves that might change anything.
But I didn’t feel like doing the safe thing anymore.
I floated toward him until our faces were mere inches apart.
“Allison,” he said in a way that sounded like a warning.
But I pushed forward and covered his mouth with mine.
He froze for an instant. Then his hands were on my hips, pulling me to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, and we floated together in the sunlight, kissing—exploring—as diamonds of light glimmered all aroundus. It was magic. I parted my lips slightly, begging for more, and he took it, teasing me with his tongue as he deepened the kiss.
“Allison,” he repeated, his voice ragged as he finally pulled away. “We shouldn’t. It’s a bad idea. You know why.”
“I wouldn’t let you do it if it were dangerous,” I whispered, repeating his words from earlier. “Jackson. I jumped. I took a leap of faith. And now I’m taking another one.”
“What do you mean?”
“I choose you.”
“What?” He looked at me like he couldn’t comprehend what I was saying.
“I choose you.” I gripped his face in my hands, needing him to hear me. “I choose all of it. All of you. I don’t care about your past. I don’t care who your father is. I chooseyou.”
My heart pounded in my chest, no longer from the adrenaline of the jump. I was laying it out on the line here. Putting all my cards on the table—and just hoping. “I believe in you. I believe inus, Jackson. We aren’t our parents. They both screwed things up, but we aren’t them. We have a lot to learn, but we can do it together.All I need to know is if you choose me, too.”
The look he gave me was so full of feeling, somehow so broken and restored at the same time. It was full of love and hope—but also fear and grief. For a moment, I thought the fear was going to win and he was going to say no. My heart began to sink.
But then he grabbed me tighter and buried his face in the crook of my neck. “I choose you, too,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I always have. Since the day I met you, there’s never been anyone else I could ever feel this way about. You know that. I’m terrified that I’m going to mess this up, but I can’t imagine ever losing you again. Can’t imagine living a single day of my life without you.”
“Then we’re in this,” I said, “no matter what.”
He pulled his head back, searching my eyes, and nodded. “No matter what.”
He kissed me again, this time joyous as we both celebrated what we already knew. It was me and him against the world. It always had been, and it always would be. Because there could never be another for me, either.
Chapter Thirty-Four
