say, when to say it, how to get myself out of that church and that dress and that whole situation. When I saw you… well, it was just the last kick of courage I needed.”
I smoothed my knuckles down her cheek, over her jaw. “You surprised the shit out of me when you came barreling back down that aisle.”
She chuckled. “I think I surprised everyone. Well, except for maybe Betty, who seemed to be plotting it this entire time.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe she stood up like that and offered to pay part of my father’s debt.”
“She loves you,” I explained. “Plus, according to the letter she wrote me, she insisted that she couldn’t take it with her when she goes, anyway. And she doesn’t have any kids… other than you.” I smiled when Ruby Grace’s brows bent together. “Those were her exact words.”
She frowned. “Wait… so you were both talking about paying off my father’s debt even before today?”
I shrugged. “We didn’t have a plan or anything… but, I think both of us knew we would do anything to keep you from having to be responsible for a debt that wasn’t yours. Like I said, Betty loves you.” I paused, eyes searching hers. “And so do I.”
Ruby Grace melted into me, and my heart galloped and stuttered as she swept a hand through my hair, wiggling her way up my chest until her face hovered over mine.
“I never said it back,” she whispered, hazel eyes dancing in the light from the makeshift stars. “And I’m sorry I didn’t. Because you were right, when you said it the first night you brought me here. I love you, too.”
Her eyes watered as I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
“I do, Noah,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m so sorry it took all this for me to admit it out loud. I was scared. I was… lost. As much as the wedding planning and pressure from my family was smothering me, I chose to hide under that rubble instead of trying to break free. I think a part of me was worried about what I’d find on the other side…”
I nodded, understanding completely. I knew what it was like to have the town talk about you, to have your entire life uprooted in one single day. And I was sure that if I’d had a choice in the matter, I would have avoided it at all costs.
“But, that worry was unfounded,” she continued, her plump lips spreading into a gentle smile. “Because I should have known from the very start that as long as it was you, as long as it was us, together?” She shook her head again. “There’s no way life could be anything but perfect.”
I smirked, capturing her chin in my hand. “It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’d be embarrassed to love me, too.”
That earned me a laugh and a swat on the chest, but I killed her laughter when I pressed my lips to hers.
We both breathed into the kiss, inhaling each other, and when she let out a soft, longing moan, all the blood rushed to where her leg rested between my legs.
I groaned, rolling my hips to let her feel me. “It hasn’t even been twenty minutes, and I want to bury myself in you again.”
She bit her lip on a smile. “What are you waiting for?”
“Energy,” I confessed honestly.
Ruby Grace laughed, kissing my nose before she balanced over me again. For a while we just stared at each other, listening to the insects, fingers trailing lightly over each other’s skin.
“I think I want to do it,” she whispered after a while.
I groaned. “Me, too, woman, but I need water. And a protein bar. And, like, at least thirty more minutes.”
“Not that,” Ruby Grace said, wide grin splitting her face. I counted the freckles that dotted her cheeks as she shook her head. “I mean AmeriCorps.”
My heart stopped at that. “Yeah?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I can’t believe you applied for me. I was so overcome with emotion when you told me… I just wanted to throw myself into your arms and thank you and thank God for sending you into my life. It was the first moment I realized you loved me… before you even told me. Because no one had ever done anything like that for me before. Ever.”
I ran my hand down her cheek. “So, you want to go?”
“I do.”
“Good,” I said, smirking. “Because an email came through to my inbox yesterday.