Only Her Best Friend - Cami Checketts Page 0,50
to get past this.” She drew in and pushed out a huffy breath. “Like I said, I’ve always loved you, and when you left, it was hard on me. Men asked me out, and I dated, but no one was as good as you.”
He liked that. What was he thinking? He loved it.
“I went through a phase where I googled you any free time I had.”
His eyebrows raised. That was a little extreme, though a huge confidence boost to him.
“My mom found out and told me that was too obsessive, especially as she didn’t think you’d ever come back. So, I prayed about it and tried to find ways to cut back. I came up with the chart. If I keep certain good habits or accomplish hard tasks, I get check marks. Ten check marks earns me half an hour of ‘Google Cruz’ time.” She ducked her head.
Cruz hugged her tight. “I love you.”
She glanced up at him. “I love you too. And you understand what I’m saying about all of us having our own issues we have to deal with.”
He guessed she was right. Most people hid their issues, but everybody had them. “That’s what makes the world interesting,” he said.
“True. Do you think I could help you overcome your mom’s voice in your head?”
His stomach warmed. “By complimenting me nonstop?”
She laughed. “Some of that, and partially just being with you and showing you how great I think you are, and of course, praying for you and praying together.”
“Is kissing going to play into the equation?”
“Definitely.”
She reached up and kissed him. He thought all of her ideas would help, but as he kissed her, there wasn’t room for anything else in his brain, so it definitely had the most potential to shut his mom’s voice out. He smiled against her lips and said, “This is the magic potion. More kissing please.”
She laughed and said, “I’m not too pretty for that.”
“Yes, you are, but let’s kiss nonstop anyway.”
She giggled and complied.
Chapter Fourteen
Cruz and Meredith spent every moment they could together over the next ten days. They’d usually start their day with a walk, hike, or bike ride, and then he’d help his dad or deal with whatever marketing or emails Taylee sent his way while Meredith went to work. He’d come take her to lunch and often stay to help her at the ice cream parlor in the afternoons. They spent every evening together boating, being with their families, cooking together or going out, or doing something fun at the resort. She made him her “famous rolls” a few more times, and he always moaned as he ate them. It was really cute of him.
Her favorite time was each night as they’d snuggle and kiss before they’d pray together. Then he’d go to his dad’s house to sleep. They talked more about his mom’s treatment of him and how he could forgive her and put it behind him. They hadn’t talked much about what would happen when they had to separate, and sadly, today was that day.
Meredith stood on her porch, clinging tightly to Cruz. It was almost nine at night, and he had a four hour drive to Flathead Lake where he’d start teaching at their wakeboarding academy in the morning. She didn’t want him navigating the canyon roads after dark, but she couldn’t force herself to let him go. His schedule would be busy, and she wouldn’t see him for a while.
Bravely, she stared up at him. “I hate that I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
He nodded, more serious than usual as he kissed her forehead. “I’ll have a week break in six weeks, and I’ll be here, I promise. Plus, we’ll spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together.”
“Six weeks sounds like an eternity.”
“True. You can come see me anytime if you can work it out with your shop.”
She nodded. He’d said the same many times, but she’d never left her shop for more than a couple of days. Her parents and employees would be happy to man it, but it still wasn’t a permanent solution to how to be together.
“We’ll make it work, Mer. I promise you we will.”
“You’re not too pretty to make it work?”
He laughed. “You’re too pretty, but thank the good Lord, you’re giving me a chance.”
“I do thank Him.” She smiled tremulously up at him, and he gave her a tender, lingering kiss. Then she forced herself to step back and said, “You’d better go. I worry about you driving at night.”
He smiled.