Page 112 of How You See Me
I press closer, holding on tight as his arms lock around me. “I wish she could be here to make those memories with you. But since she can’t, I’m glad you’re not alone.”
He leans back against the tree trunk. “Before she knew you were coming with me, she said I had to do the activities with someone. It was a rule.”
“She knows you like those.” I tease, despite the ache in my chest. “So basically, you should be thanking me. I saved you from having to talk to strangers.”
His lips twitch into an almost grin. “You saved me from a lot of things. Mostly myself.”
“That’s because I like that guy, and I want to be his . . . officially.”
“What would make what we’re already doingofficial?”
“You have to say the words.”
“What words?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t count.”
His hands trail up my sides, lighting my skin up along the way. His voice is softer now. “Josie Jones?”
“Yes, Hayes Montgomery?”
He straightens to press his body against mine, and the world around us fades into the background. I loop my arms around his neck, my fingers threading into his hair.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
I can’t help the sheer joy wreaking havoc in my belly. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Our kiss is tantalizingly slow and undeniable, and when it ends, everything between us feels different. More. Like maybe love really is the one thing that can anchor you and lift you up at the same time.
At that moment, I know without a doubt . . . I got the better end of this deal.
???
We stop by the gift shop and restrooms, just long enough to stretch our legs and shake off the last of the balloon magic. On the way back to the van, I have an idea.
“I think we should call Ava and tell her the good news.”
Hayes pauses, eyes brightening. “I love it. It’s been a while since we talked.” He checks his watch. “Maybe we can catch her before bedtime.”
He grabs his phone and opens the back doors of the van, giving us a shaded place to sit. He settles beside me, thumb hovering over the screen.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, noticing the stillness in his posture, the way his gaze holds on his phone.
“I haven’t seen her since I left. Nearly every time I’ve called, she hasn’t been able to talk.”
“Then it will be even more meaningful if she’s able to today.”
With a long breath, he lifts the phone, angling it so only he’s visible. “Ready?”
I nod, my stomach knotting. I know how much she means to him and how difficult this call will be.
“Hi, sweetheart. Everything okay?” his mom asks in greeting, a mix of concern and love in her voice.
“Of course. Is Ava up? I want to tell her something.”
“Oh. She’s right here. One sec.”
The phone shifts, and then—there she is. The tiny girl who holds hisheart.
