Before his shift started, he’d enrolled in a Business 101 fall class at the local community college. He almost didn’t do it, but then realized he had to keep moving forward with his life. He had come too far to turn back or fall off the wagon. He was returningto school because he wanted to, not because it was expected of him by his parents or anyone else.
He finished moving a tall stack of pallets with the forklift. Time to go on break. He turned off the machine and jumped down, and he was heading for the break room when Sawyer came up behind him, putting his arm around his neck.
“What’s up, my dude?” he said, a huge grin on his face.
“On my way to get a Coke. You want one?” For some reason Sawyer was turning him in the opposite direction of the break room. “Hey, what’s going on—” He froze as he saw an adorable woman with curly black hair approaching them, wearing a yellow and orange safety vest over a powder-blue T-shirt and white shorts, her hands behind her back. “Britt?”
Sawyer’s arm slipped from Hunter’s shoulders. “She’s all yours.”
He looked at his friend. “How did she get in here?”
“I pulled some strings. I kind of owe ya.” He clapped Hunter on the back. “Don’t blow it this time.” He took off.
Hunter started to run to Britt, then slowed down, trying to keep his cool. She could be here to read him the riot act for all he knew.
She suddenly stopped a few feet in front of him and whipped out a megaphone. “Attention, everyone!”
He startled. What in the world?
“I have an announcement to make.”
“Britt,” Hunter said. He glanced around. The entire floor had stopped working and was gathering around, staring at them. Her worst nightmare.
The megaphone wobbled a little in her hand, but she stood firm. “Hunter Pickett...” Her eyes widened slightly as she tookin the number of people looking in her direction. But she closed them briefly before meeting his gaze again. “I love you.”
She loves me.His heart soared as he scooped her up in his arms and held her tight. Applause broke out around them. Then he set her on the ground, soaking in her bright, beautiful,relaxedsmile. “How did you do this?” he said, still holding her close.
“I asked Dad to talk to Lila, and she talked to Sawyer, and he made it happen.” She tightened her hold on his waist. “I’m so sorry, Hunter. I shouldn’t have pushed you away. But I was afraid I’d lose you.”
“And I was afraid of losing you.” He looked around again. “FYI, everyone’s watching us.”
She nodded, keeping her eyes on him. But she wasn’t completely at ease, and he could feel her trembling in his arms.
He held her tighter. “We could have met at K&Bs, or your house, or my apartment. You didn’t have to do this in front of anyone.”
“Yes, I did.” She lifted her chin. “I wanted you to know I’m not hiding anything from you, especially my feelings.”
His heart warmed, and his fingers brushed against the curl resting against her cheek.
“I needed to do this for myself too,” she continued. “I can’t promise I won’t be nervous or anxious or even scared at times, but I’m not going to hide anymore.”
Impressed with her determination, he said, “And I can’t promise I won’t struggle either. It’s one day at time for me, and it always will be.”
“I know.” She smiled. “But we’ll be there for each other. We don’t have to go through any of it alone.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “You know what this means,though.” At her questioning look, he whispered, “I’m never letting you go.”
“You better not.”
“Kiss her already,” Sawyer hollered.
“Gotta do what the man says.” He smiled, bending down to kiss her. And when she kissed him back, he knew she was his forever.
Chapter 27
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Britt beamed as Justin moved Savannah’s veil from her face and sweetly kissed her. She felt Hunter’s hand close over hers as they sat behind the bride’s family. After the pastor pronounced them husband and wife, she waved as the happy couple passed by them. When Savannah blew her a kiss, Britt’s eyes filled.
