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I know what I want her to say.
What Ihopeshe’ll say.
I want to be a factor in her decisions. When she makes plans for the next part of her journey through life, I want her to think aboutus.
That’s probably selfish of me. This choice of hers might not have anything to do with me at all.
Then again… the pointy toes of her fancy bridesmaid shoes are nearly touching these black loafers I’m squeezed into. And she’s so close, I can smell that sweet vanilla of her shampoo.
The high-tempo music swirls around us, and guests weave past, talking loudly and hugging.
And even though all that’s going on, this moment with Olivia is drenched in stillness. A magical, out-of-time moment that I can’t really understand.
“Because, Cole,” she whispers. “What I really want isn’t on a faraway beach. What I really want is right here in Silver Creek.”
“What do you really want?” I whisper back.
Her eyes drop to my chest. Instead of answering me, she touches my tie.
“No medallion?” I reach under my button-up and tug the chain out.
She picks up the silver Saint Christopher medal and turns it in her fingertips.
“Falling’s scary, Cole. My grandmother said that, and she’s right. I think I’ve been lost for a long time. Looking everywhere for what will make me happy. I really mean everywhere.”
She lays the medal back so it’s flat against my tie.
I reach for her hand and pull her in. “I know. I’ve never really fallen before.”
A quick, hesitant smile plays over her lips but disappears fast. “You’re a sturdy guy. You stay on your feet.”
“Not this time,” I tell her.
“I don’t want to ask you to do something you’re not ready for.”
“I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve flown through blizzards. Can’t be harder than that.”
“We won’t know until we’re in it.”
“We could take it a step at a time.”
“That’s the best way to travel,” she agrees with a smile.
That smile. I’d stand right here and talk with her forever, except now that smile has me looking at her perfect lips and I can’t breathe.
She giggles. “Though, if we take advice from Blue, we’re not going to get anywhere fast. That little guy will walk any way except in a straight line.”
“I don’t care how fast we get anywhere,” I say, feeling drunk even though I haven’t had a drop. “If I’m with you? We could zig-zag around forever.”
“You really mean that?”
I could say ‘yes.’
I could say plenty of other things, too.
