Page 61 of Four Simple Rules
Always.
My heart sits in my throat when I walk out the front door with my bags in my hand. Jesse rests against my car with his hands in his pocket, inspecting the rock driveway.
"Hey," I say softly, stopping in front of him.
"Hey, Tulip," he rasps, raising his head with moisture hanging in his eyes. "Are you ready to go?" He cocks his head, looking me up and down like he's taking one last look at me before I'm a ghost.
"Yeah," I say hesitantly, setting my bags on the driveway.
"You're going to blow Boston away," he says with a slight grin tugging at his lips. "I'll come to visit in the summers. Save me a bed?"
Frick. Sadness takes over his drooping face. He doesn't have to tell me he's sad to see me leave; his face shows everything. The tears in his eyes give him away.
"I'll miss you, Tulip. These past two weeks have been amazing. I'm so thankful you've given me a second chance. Now, we have to figure out time zones. I'll FaceTime you every day. Give me the time and…"
"I'm not going to Boston," I blurt.
"What?" he asks, his entire body stiffening. "Why? It's your dream. It's…"
"It was my dream. But dreams change. I thought I wanted it. I really did. But the more I thought about it, the sadder I became. I don't know why, but you have this hold on me, Jesse. You always have. So, I'm staying because I may be your sanctuary, but you’re mine, too.”
Jesse grunts, throwing his arms around me and kissing the top of my head.
"I selfishly wanted to tell you to stay here with me every day. That I'd miss you so much. Hell, I even started looking for a coaching position closer to Boston. I'm so relieved you're staying and giving me a second chance."
"You did?" I choke out, squeezing him back.
"I told you, Tulip. I will never let you go again. I would support you in your decision, but I would be there. No matter what. So, where are you staying? Here? What will you do?"
"I'm going to buy the flower shop," I say, staring deep into his eyes as they widen and twinkle. "I'm going to need a place to stay in Prembrook after I pack up my apartment."
Jesse grins like a maniac, locking his lips with mine. "You're mine. All mine. My place is your place. I'll help you pack."
"You really want me to stay with you?" I ask, inspecting his glowing face.
"I want you to live with me. I want you to marry me. I want all the things, Blake. Ten years ago, I let you leave because I was a jackass. And now, I'm not letting go. I've had a taste, and now, I want all of you." Leaning down, he kisses me one last time. "Now, how about we go to your apartment? Do you need help packing?"
"Yes. I'd love that." I grin up at him when he leads me to the passenger's side door and opens it.
"My Lady," he quips, gesturing for me to hop inside.
"Why thank you, kind sir," I say, getting in and buckling up.
This is it—the beginning of our new chapter. We've been through quite a bit in our short lives.
Friendship. Crossing lines. Betrayals. Reunions.
But this is the best of all…
Our happy ending.
Two Years Later
Igrin, cheering from the stands as Jesse stands beside his team for opening day. He waves to the crowd, then zones in on me next to the dugout. Pride radiates through him when he blows me a kiss, making sure every eye in the stand sees me.
These days, I'm the center of his universe. Even in front of baseball, his beloved sport. He's never afraid to pull me to his side and kiss me in public. Or call me his wife.
A grin explodes when he takes me in, roaming his gaze over my very swollen belly. I'm about to pop any day now, much to our delight. We've been counting down the days. Especially him. The amount of excitement he's felt since the moment I told him has my heart rattling in my chest.
