Page 97 of Home Is Where You Are

I pulled her tight, needing her strength in that moment, which she gave freely as she wrapped her arms around my middle and returned my embrace. The words weighed heavy on the tip of my tongue, the need to tell her I loved her, but I didn’t want to say it too soon.

“The photo that fell on the table. It looked worn and important to you. Is that what you meant when you said your wallet was your most cherished possession?”

I smiled as I pulled my wallet from my pocket and took my phone out so she could see what I’d cherished all this time.

I turned on the flashlight of my phone and took the photo from my wallet so she could see. Holding the photo between my fingers, I stared at her face as she looked at my favorite memory.

She gasped and brought her hand to her lips as she looked over at me with glassy eyes.

“How long have you had this photo in your wallet?”

“Since the day you agreed to be my girl in high school,” I confessed.

The photo was one I took when she thought no one was looking. She had her head rested against the confession tree as she was lost in thought with a smile on her face.

“You kept it all this time?”

“Every single day,” I admitted as I put the photo back in my wallet. I’d carry her with me always no matter if we were together or apart. Ainsleigh Courtright would always own a piece of me.

“What’s something no one knows about you, not even me?” she asked, trying to lighten the mood.

That question was tough to answer because she knew so much about me.

“I never liked football, even though I was good at it,” I responded.

“Why did you stick with it?” she asked as her hand slipped under my shirt and caressed my stomach while she waited for my response.

“Because my best friend convinced me to. And his beautiful sister captured my heart the moment I laid eyes on her,” I confessed.

She gasped as her fingers momentarily stopped before she continued. I could feel the smile that graced her lips against my chest.

I’d do anything to keep a smile on her face, and I made a promise that night under the stars with her in my arms to do anything to ensure my beautiful butterfly always had a reason to smile.

thirty

AINSLEIGH

Afew days later, I woke with anxious energy. It was the day of my interview and my therapy appointment. The interview was in the early afternoon and the therapy appointment a couple hours after that.

Rolling over, I checked my phone and had a text notification from Gentry.

With a smile, I opened his message.

Gentry: Your dad told me you’re off today. Is everything okay? And no, that question doesn’t count as my question for the day.

Ainsleigh: Yes, everything’s fine. I have my interview today followed by my therapy appointment.

I’d told him about both appointments, but I couldn’t remember if I’d told him which day they were.

Gentry: I’ll miss seeing your beautiful face around the ranch today. You’re going to knock them about of the park at the interview. Good luck at both appointments. Come see me when you get back. I’ll be at the clubhouse today. Here’s your question for the day: Sunny or rainy days?

I smiled at his randomness. I never knew what question he’d come up with next and if it would be serious or not.

After some careful thought, I responded that rainy days were my favorite. There was just something about rainy, summer days that I loved curling up on the couch with a soft blanket and a good book or a movie and enjoying the peace and comfort those simple moments brought me. Checking the time, I realized I had to get out of bed and get ready for my interview. I left my phone on the bed and decided to ponder the next question I’d ask him.

I quickly showered and straightened my hair, deciding a sleek look would be more professional than the unruly curls.

Dressed to impress in a black pencil skirt, a white button-down short-sleeve top with a ruffled collar that I’d tucked in with peep toe heels, I took in my reflection in the mirror to double check my appearance.