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“I make my own schedule. And you can fly with me. It’ll be like old times.”
“And no overnight trips. I’m not spending my nights all alone.”
“Believe me, I don’t wanna be anywhere but lying in bed next to you every night.”
“And you need to take me driving more, so I can get my license as soon as possible.”
“Good, ’cause I’m tired of cartin’ your ass around.”
“And I’m in charge of decorating. This will not be one of those dingy log cabins with dead animals and guns all over the walls.”
He puts his hands in the air in a sign of surrender. “You can paint the whole goddamn place white if you want, Calla.”
I frown. “Seriously?”
“I mean, it’d be a fucking horrible idea and Phil will probably come back here and shoot us both if he finds out, but I don’t give a shit.” He smirks. “Just don’t get pissy with me when I get it dirty.”
“Maybe just one white room,” I mock.
He collects my hand and brings it to his mouth to press a kiss against my knuckles. “Whatever makes you happy.”
I’ve only ever seen that look on his face once before—standing in front of the US entry gate at the airport, when I told him I’d move to Alaska for him.
“Making you happy makes me happy,” I answer truthfully.
“Well then … you’ve just made me the happiest guy on earth. God, I love you so much.” Cupping my face between his two large hands, he gently pulls me to him and captures my lips in a deep kiss. The kind of kiss that stirs instant need in my body. The kind that has me unfastening my seat belt and sliding over to get closer to him, ready to fog these windows and defile Chris and Andrea’s truck on the side of this desolate road.
Jonah breaks free as my palm finds an appealing spot pressed against his fly, his breath ragged. “You know what this means, right?” His forehead rests against mine. “This is a big commitment.”
“I moved to Alaska for you, didn’t I?” Haven’t I already committed to him?
“Holy shit.” Jonah exhales. “So? Should we go tell Phil that we’ll take it?”
I steal a moment for my own calming breath as I eye the long driveway ahead. “Do you think he’s even sober enough to have this conversation?” It’s been a few hours since we first visited. That’s a long time for an old man and his bottle of whiskey, alone in the woods.
“Let’s find out.” Throwing the old truck into Drive, Jonah eases up the driveway. Our new driveway, soon. A nervous flutter churns in my stomach.
My hand is firmly clasped within Jonah’s the entire way.
Chapter Nine
March
“I swear, I really do want to come, but I don’t think we can afford it this year, with all these bills! Plus, there’s his sister’s wedding. We have to fly to freaking Costa Rica. Who makes their entire family pay thousands of dollars to see them get married?”
I smile, thinking about that time Diana mentioned how nice a destination wedding would be. Now’s not the time to remind her of that, though. “What if I pay for your tickets?” Since Diana moved into an exorbitantly priced one-bedroom condo in Liberty Village with her boyfriend this past January and decided she’s going to law school, she’s been nonstop complaining about money. Or maybe I’ve noticed it more because money isn’t going to be an issue for me soon.
“That’s generous of you, Calla, but you know Aaron … He’d never accept that.” And God forbid Diana spent a few days away from him to come here on her own. “We’ll figure it out. When are your parents coming up?”
“I don’t know. My mom mentioned end of June for my birthday, but the shop is so busy with weddings that it’s probably going to be impossible.”
“I’m sure she’ll make it work. And I will, too, I promise! If not this year, then definitely next year.” Diana’s remorseful voice rings in my ear.
“I can’t wait.” It’s been two and a half months since I hugged my best friend goodbye, an emotional farewell the night before I flew here. While we still text like we’re in the same city, the weight of missing weekly meet-ups and laughs lingers in the background, suitably masked by the flurry of activity tied to my move, flaring on the rare occasion that I hear her voice.
“I know! Oh my God, Aaron hasn’t shut up about Alaska since I brought it up. I regret ever mentioning it.”
“No, you don’t.”
