you figured out that you can’t listen to people in this town? It hasn’t even been a day and they’re already exaggerating. No, I told you, a tree fell on the bridge and we hit it, or it hit us, I’m not entirely sure. We were trapped in Mom’s car, but the firefighters got us out. We were safely on land when the bridge collapsed. By the way, did you know that one out of every nine bridges in the US is structurally deficient?”
“You researched bridge collapses, didn’t you?”
“First thing this morning.”
She laughed. “Naturally. Well, I’m glad you’re okay. Was Gavin on the scene?”
“Yeah, he was. He helped get us out of Mom’s car.”
“Wow. That must have been intense for him.”
“Yeah, he seemed kind of out of it afterward. Normally it’s like nothing ruffles him, but if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was scared.”
“Of course he was. He had to rescue the girl he hasn’t admitted to being in love with yet.”
“Ginny, stop. He’s not in love with me.”
“Wanna bet?”
“No.”
“That’s because you know I’m right. Has he been over to see you?”
“No, he was on duty overnight. He texted me last night and once this morning, but that doesn’t mean he’s in love with me. It means he’s worried about a friend.”
“Yeah, well, I still say he has feelings for you. I bet he comes over today and tells you that your accident yesterday made him realize he wants to be more than friends.”
I sighed. “I don’t think so.”
She paused. “Do you want him to?”
I wasn’t sure if I was ready to admit how big my feelings for Gavin were, even to Ginny. It felt like saying it out loud was too dangerous. “I don’t know. Maybe?”
“You know what I think. If you want him, you need to be up front.”
“I know, but that’s not really fair to him. He tried to keep us from crossing the just friends line and I’m the one who said we can be friends who have sex sometimes and it won’t be a big deal.”
“Yeah, I know. Friends with benefits can get messy.”
“Well, it’s not messy now, and I’m certainly not going to let it get messy today. Gavin and I are fine. What about you and Logan? Are you guys actually dating, or…”
“Nice subject change. No, we’re not really dating. He’s a lot of fun, and he’s hot as sin, but I’m not in town much longer.”
“I’m going to miss you when you’re gone. It’s been nice having you so close.”
“It’s been a lot of fun. I’d love to find more excuses to stay, but I have to move on to the next thing.”
“I know.”
“You rest up today and let me know if you need anything, okay?”
“I will. Thanks, Ginny.”
“Talk to you soon.”
I hung up and got out of bed. I was still in a t-shirt and pajama pants, but it seemed like a pajama pants sort of day. Mom’s door was closed—which was odd. Had she slept there last night? Maybe she’d needed space after yesterday. I didn’t see Dad, so I crept downstairs to get a snack.
After I grabbed a few things out of the fridge, there was a knock at the front door. I answered it, and Gavin barreled his way inside.
“Hey, Sky. How are you feeling? Are you okay?”
I shut the door, eying him. His hair was disheveled and his eyes were a little crazed.
“I’m fine. Just a bit sore.”
He stood in front of me and gently grabbed my shoulders. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Thanks to you.”
For a second, he held my gaze, then let out a breath. “Is this a good time? Can we talk?”
“Okay, but—”
Before I could finish, he let go and headed for the kitchen.
“Are you okay?” I asked, following him.
He walked a circle around the kitchen, as if he couldn’t keep still. “I was up all night thinking.”
“All night? Thinking about what?”
He stopped and met my eyes. “About us.”
Oh my god, was Ginny right? Had yesterday made Gavin realize he wanted to be more than friends?
“What about us?”
“I think we should get married.”
I stared at him, dumbstruck. “Wait, what?”
“Hear me out.” He started pacing around the kitchen again. “We’re really good together, and I don’t just mean the sex. I mean all of it.”
“Okay, but—”
“Yesterday I realized how awful it would be to lose you. I looked at the bridge and I knew you were out there and I could see it happen. The bridge collapsing and the car sinking into the river. I’ve