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"You don't care right now," I say. "But Jake...what if you start to hate me for taking you away from your life? You're always going on adventures, meeting new people, experiencing new things. What if you start to resent me for keeping you tied down?"
He shakes his head, his eyes never leaving mine. "I could never hate you, Sarah. I don't care about the adventures or the experiences if it means I can't be with you.You'remy greatest adventure."
I feel like my heart is going to burst. All this time, I've been so closed off to the idea of a future with someone else, and here I am, face to face with a man who wants to give me everything I never knew I wanted.
But can I let go of my fears and doubts and trust in him?
I take a deep breath and meet his gaze. "Okay," I whisper. "Let's give it a shot."
Relief floods his face, and he pulls me into a searing kiss that steals my breath away. The fireworks go off in the distance, but I barely hear them over the sound of my own racing heart. In this moment, with Jake's lips on mine, I know that everything is going to change. But for once, I'm ready to take that leap, to dive headfirst into the unknown. For him, I'll take that risk.
As we pull away from each other, Jake beams at me. "You won't regret it, cher."
"I know I won't," I reply with a grin.
As we make our way back to the reception, hand in hand, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement coursing through me. Maybe this is what I've been missing all along. Maybe this is the adventure I've been searching for. With Jake by my side, I'm ready to find out.
Chapter eighteen
Jake
It'salongdriveback to Fern Hollow.
If I thought I wanted Sarah before, I want her even more now. Now that she's told me she's willing to make this work...
...fuck.
How am I even going to do this?
When the dam gig is over, I won't have work. I need to talk to Gray, need to lock down employment. My momma--bless her soul--raised me toprovidefor my woman, and I intend on doing that for Sarah.
For now, though?
I'm gonna show her the life she's in for.
My knuckles are white on the steering wheel when we pull into her apartment complex, my desire for her almost overwhelming. Sarah sleeps in the passenger seat, her breath puffing out steadily. I don't want to disturb her...
...but fuck, I want her.
I put my hand gently on her shoulder, squeezing.
"Wake up, sugar," I murmur. "We're home."
Sarah groans and her eyes flutter open. "What time is it?"
"Well past midnight," I say. "Unbuckle your seatbelt...I'll come around and get you."
I step out of the car, the crisp night air wrapping around me. It's a clear night, the stars like tiny diamonds scattered across the sky. It's quiet, save for the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. I walk around to Sarah's side of the car and open the door, offering her my hand as she steps out.
"Thanks," she says, yawning and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I can't believe how tired I am."
"I'm not surprised," I say, grinning. "You danced your heart out tonight."
Sarah smiles, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. "Yeah, I did. I had a great time, though. Thank you for helping out so much--the wedding wouldn't have been a success without you."
"I meant it when I said I would help you anytime," I tell her. "Now come on...let's get upstairs."
We leave the stuff under a tarp in the truck and I wrap my arm around Sarah's waist as we wander up the stairs, then unlock the door. She starts to wake up as we walk inside, and she yawns and kicks off her shoes once we cross the threshold. I stand at the door, not sure what she wants.
