Page 119 of Seeds of Christmas
“Fine.”
“You look like you’re about to commit murder.”
“I’m fine,” I repeat.
Jake grins. “You’re so gone for her.”
“Shut up.”
Rhi catches my eye across the room. Smiles. Excuses herself from the guy and heads toward me.
Yeah. I’m gone.
“I’m ready to go,” Rhi says.
“Then let’s go, darling.”
The walk back to my apartment is cold but clear. The streets are mostly empty except for a few other people stumbling home from parties.
“That was a good speech,” Rhi says, her arm linked through mine.
“It was okay.”
“It was really good. You meant it.”
“Yeah. I did.” I think about it. “I think I’m ready to come back. Not move back in full-time, but actually be part of the house again. Actually show up to things.”
“I think that’s good. Those guys love you.”
We start walking again, and I think about the difference between last New Year’s and this one. Last year, I was drunk and numb and trying to forget. This year, I’m relatively sober and present and actually feeling things.
It hurts more. But it also feels more real.
More alive.
When we get to my apartment, Jake’s not home yet—probably staying at the house—so it’s just us.
Rhi immediately goes to the couch, pulling off her boots and curling up under a blanket. I join her, and she tucks herself against my side.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks.
“Just... how different everything is. How a month ago, I was failing my classes and avoiding everyone and completely lost. And now I’m here with you, and I went back to the frat, and I actually have a plan for my future.”
“Yeah?”
“I feel really good about my new plan. The more I think about it, the more I know that being a firefighter is the right path for me.”
Her face lights up. “Carter, that’s amazing.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “What about you? What’s next for Rhiannon Pierce?”
“Well, the paper gets submitted in two weeks. Professor Bam says I’m definitely still co-author. And I’ve been looking at grad programs for next year. There’s this amazing volcanology program in Oregon that I’m thinking about applying to.”
“Oregon? That’s far.”
“I know.” She tilts her head to look at me. “Would that be okay? I mean, we’d figure it out, right? Long distance or?—”
“We’ll figure it out,” I say firmly. “You’re going to apply to that program. You’re going to get in because you’re brilliant. And we’ll make it work. Whatever it takes.”
