Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“About what, baby?”
“I want to ask you something.”
“You can ask me anything. You know that.”
I do know that, but I’m still nervous. I don’t know why. I’m pretty certain what his answer will be. Swallowing back my nerves, I turn in his arms and clasp my hands behind his neck. I smile up at him as he locks his hands in a similar fashion at the small of my back.
“You’re beautiful.”
“You’re a charmer.”
“Only with you.” He winks, and suddenly, my nerves are gone. This is a formality, one I’m not sure either of us needs, but I want it anyway.
“Stanley Riggins?”
“Baby.” He kisses the tip of my nose.
“I want you to be mine.”
“I am yours.”
“Officially. I want you to be my boyfriend.”
His eyes soften in the glow of the moonlight. “I’ve been yours since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
I nod. We both know what he says is true. “We never talked about titles.”
“I did. That first day.”
“But I asked you to give me some time, and we haven’t talked about it since.”
He’s smiling down at me as if I’m the greatest thing in his universe. It’s a heady feeling to know there is someone who cares for me this deeply.
He moves his hands from the small of my back to my cheeks. His thumbs caress under my eyes. “Lena Hartford, one day to be Riggins—” He smirks. “—I love you completely and irrevocably.”
My breath hitches. He’s never said those words to me before. My heart races. I run my fingers through his hair to calm my nerves. “You love me?”
“You know I do, baby. You’re my magic, but it’s more than that. You’re my heart and soul. We’re going the distance, you and me. This is forever, Lena.”
I swallow over the lump of emotion building in the back of my throat. “I love you too.” My voice cracks. “My dad, he would have loved you. You know, I think he might have sent you to me. He knew I needed someone to lean on, to guide me through this year, and you were his pick.”
His answer is to crush me in a hug, burying his face in my neck. I move my hands to wrap around his waist and hold on to him with everything I’ve got. I send up a silent thank-you to my father. I might not be a firm believer in the magic, as Stanley likes to call it, but I do believe my dad is watching over me, and he knew I needed this boy—no—this man in my life.
Stanley pulls away and bends, pressing his lips to mine. I open for him, and he leisurely explores my mouth. I’m putty in his hands as I lean into him, soaking up every moment. He slides his hand behind my neck and tilts my head just the way he wants me as he deepens the kiss. I lose all track of time. Nothing and no one exists but the two of us. His kisses are like a balm to my tattered heart, and they always make everything better. Then again, I think it’s just Stanley. That’s the effect he has on me.
“We should get you back inside.” With his hand laced in mine, we head back to the gym to finish our senior prom. We both do so with the knowledge that no matter what happens after high school, we’re going to experience it together.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” My mom pulls me into her arms, crushing me in a fierce hug. “I wish he was here to see this,” she whispers.
“Me too,” I tell her as I retreat out of her embrace. “I’m glad that’s over.” I laugh, and Mom smiles.
Today is my high school graduation. It’s hard to believe it’s finally over. This year didn’t turn out the way I thought it would. I thought I’d spend my senior year alone, lost in my heartache, but thanks to my incredible boyfriend and my new best friend, Gail, that’s not what happened at all. I was sad, sure, but they both helped pull me from the darkness. It helped that my mom is also doing well and even getting out of the house with a few of her coworkers. We’ve picked up the pieces and are slowly putting them back together. Putting us back together.
“What’s next?”
“I’m not sure.” My eyes scan the gym for Stanley and his parents.
“Whatever you do, you’ll be amazing. I think community college to start is a great idea.”
“Yeah, at least until I decide what it is I want to do with my life. Did you always know?”
“No. It took me some time. I actually didn’t want to go to college. Then, one day, I decided nursing was my calling. Your dad supported me with that decision. He worked two jobs, and I worked part time while I was in nursing school. We both did whatever we needed to do to make it happen.” She wipes a tear from her eye as Stanley and his parents step up beside us.