Page 47 of Falling Hard
The car rolled forward. Streetlights and brake lights slipped by the windows. I couldn’t tell where we were heading. Didn’t care.
I leaned against Luke. He didn’t miss a beat, just raised his arm and pulled me in. I needed to be close, and he let me. No awkward shifting, no nervous laugh.
I fit right against him, like we’d done this before—even though we hadn’t. Not like this.
After the chaos of the last few days, it felt almost unreal to sit here in silence, like puzzle pieces finally pressed into place, snug and certain, no room to shift or slip. Luke’s hand came to rest on my arm, his thumb brushing back and forth in slow, absent strokes. Each pass sent a shiver through me.
I rested my head on his shoulder and, without speaking, he pressed his cheek lightly to my hair. Just for a second. Just enough to make my chest ache.
I reached for his hand, found it easily, and laced my fingers with his. Gone were the days I pretended not to feel this. I had been hiding for so long, trying to stay cool, stay casual. But now my fingers tightened around his and didn’t let go. My thumb moved over his knuckles, and I felt Luke breathe deeper, slower.
We sat like that, melting into each other, for the rest of the car ride. Our breath rising and falling together, soft and steady.
Hopeton drove ahead, silent as ever. But I knew he knew. He had always known.
So had everyone else. Every friend. Every family member. Every teacher. Every stranger who saw the way we looked at each other when we thought no one was watching. We had never fooled anyone. Except maybe ourselves.
Luke turned toward me and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes.
This was it. This was always it.
15
ALWAYS RIGHT HERE
Hopeton pulledup in front of the restaurantand parked. Before I could reach for the door, Luke was already out, walking around to open it for me.
He offered his hand. I took it.
The street was alive with people and voices. The venue door was opened for the fall breeze, and music spilled out from inside. Warm light glowed through the windows, and silhouettes moved on the other side of the glass.
As we stepped onto the sidewalk, I felt Luke’s fingers press gently into mine. Not tight. Just enough to say,I’m here.
I glanced up at him. He was already watching me.
"You good?" he asked, voice low.
"I think I’ve been waiting for this my whole life."
He smiled like he already knew.
At the front door, one of Luke’s cousins greeted us with a crooked grin. "Well, damn, it’s about time."
Before I could ask what he meant, Luke pulled me inside. The room was alive with energy, and a few heads turned as we walked in, me proudly holding onto my fiancé’s arm.
He breezed by people without allowing me a moment to catch my breath.
"We’re late."
I rolled my eyes. "Can't Selena wait? She’s that important to you?"
Luke locked eyes with me, then gestured with his head to where a chorus of people yelled. "Surprise!"
Eye widening, I scanned the group. They stood under a banner that read,Congratulations to the Happy Couple, Luke & Olivia.
No longer able to hold my composure, tears filled my eyes. "Luke!"
He leaned down to kiss me on the forehead. "Tonight is our night."
