Page 124 of Holiday on the Rocks
“I—”
“On our anniversary, every year, I come home and wait for you on the Sugar Creek Bridge. I’d left a letter with Will at the hospital telling you that’s where I’d be on that day every year if you wanted me. Our spot. I was there 64 days ago, and already have my ticket bought for next October. There can never be anyone else when all I think about is the possibility of you and me.”
Her head tilted.
“I wait from sunup to sundown, every time, hoping to see come around the corner.” I leaned my forehead against the glass. “I thought you didn’t want me. That you’d moved on and couldn’t forgive me. For the accident or leaving.”
The little wrinkle between her brows made an appearance.
“I’ve been trying to play it cool in Colorado. Letting you think I only wanted closure, but it was bull shit. I just wanted to be close with you.” My chest tightened. “Forgive me for the lie, but I knew you’d be here. I figured it out and I was done hoping. I came here for you. To make you mine again. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. Needed. It’s always been you.”
Her face softened.
“I let people tell me what I needed to do that day, and I’ve regretted it every minute of every day since. And as time passed, I knew you’d moved on, and I was afraid of never being what you needed in your life.”
She took a step toward the window. “So those women?—”
“I’m a stupid guy. I’ve had women in my life over the years, but I couldn’t let anyone get close. That space in me is owned by you. If I couldn’t have you, nobody would ever have me. You’re the only one who’s ever had me.”
She took another step toward me. “I had you?”
“You’ve always had me.”
We stared at each other through the glass.
“Open the damn window, Langley.”
Her little grin grabbed me by the throat. She lifted the window, and I leaned in.
Her minty breath hit my face. “Hi.”
“Hi.” I wrapped my arms around her. “We were supposed to be, Allie. You and me. All along it was supposed to be us.” She rested her forehead against mine. “I’m not leaving this state without you.”
Her hands went around my neck. “So, you’re saying you really dig me, huh?”
I laughed. “I dig you so fucking hard it hurts.”
She giggled as she kissed my cheek. “So, you don’t want to live without me?”
“Nope, I can’t do it. Won’t do it.”
“It’s you and me?”
“You and me.”
Kristina suddenly appeared in the bathroom with freak out all over her face.
“You guys!” She closed the door and leaned back against it. “The girls are coming.” Her finger pointed at Allie. “Aren’t you engaged?”
“Not for long.”
Kristina clapped before throwing her arms in the air. “Yes!” She walked over and pushed my chest. “But you get out of here now. It’s almost wedding time and anyone dying would turn Emily into a monster. In the last twenty minutes she’s already laughed, cried, and had a tantrum.”
Allie’s smile lit up the bathroom in the First United Methodist Church. “I know. She’s a little fragile today.”
Kristina adjusted her boobs. “Not fragile like a flower, fragile like a fricking bomb. Levi, you need to disappear like now.”
Allie stepped away but I grabbed her arm and pulled her to me for another kiss before Kristina walked over and pushed me. “Out!”
