“More good news? This must be my lucky day.” Oh, she has no idea just how lucky I’m going to make her tonight.
“Yep, I’m off for the rest of the week.” I know for a fact she’s not working at the restaurant either, plus no school. It’s going to be a fantastic freaking week.
“Oh my gosh, how did this happen? It’s been months since the stars aligned and we were together. This has got to be one of the best days of my life.” I watch her eyes close. She takes a breath before opening them, and I know getting barely any sleep is well worth being in Selena’s presence.
Eighteen
Selena
“I love you.” The words pop out of my mouth before I was actually ready to say them. It’s not that I wasn’t ready. It’s that I was trying to come up with a more inventive way of saying them than while we’re walking down the street after the meal Rhett cooked. I expected us to fall into bed afterwards, honestly. That isn’t what he had in mind though, so we’re strolling through the small downtown area of Ward. Not one store is open past eight o’clock on a Thursday night, the antique-style streetlights are lit, and the cars going down the red brick road every now and then are the only sounds we hear. I really do love this small town, but I also love the ranch where Rhett lives. Then there’s the snafu of him traveling.
“You weren’t supposed to say it first.” Rhett stops in the middle of the walkway, my hand in his, a smile tugging on his lips.
“Is there some kind of rule book that says I can’t?” His other hand cups my cheek, and if he doesn’t do something funny, I’m liable to bring on the waterworks again.
“Nope, but I wanted you to hear them, so I’m gonna say them now. I love you, Selena Perez. One day, you’ll have my last name, we’ll be together without all this hustle and bustle, we’ll have a few children, and wherever we live will be perfect for me as long as you’re there too.” Oh God, Rhett really knows how to pack a punch right to my heart.
“These stupid tears. They keep ruining everything today,” I grumble, hating that the wetness is making Rhett’s face blur.
“Come here.” He brings me into his chest, where I fall into a fit of crying. It seems they’re not slowing down anytime soon. It’s a good thing he doesn’t care what I look or sound like in this moment.
“I’m trying to get it under control,” I hiccup in between words.
“You take as long as you want, baby. I’m not gonna complain. You’re here in my arms. That’s all I care about.” As if those words help me suck back the tears. They don’t and only make them worse. I close my eyes, savoring the feel and scent of Rhett, letting him hold me after seven long days without him. It felt like the world was conspiring against us. Now that he’s here, he’ll be lucky to get a break from me.
“Okay, I’m better now, promise.” I start to back away, but Rhett doesn’t allow that. He tightens his hold on me.
“Rhett.” My head tips up. The smile he gives me makes me smile back.
“You alright?” he asks.
“I’ve never been better. This week keeps getting better and better.” My head tips up as he leans down, and our lips meet. This kiss isn’t as intense, it’s sweet, loving, and caring, both of us in the moment. It doesn’t matter that we’re out in public where anyone could see us wrapped up in our own world. And I’ve never been happier.
Nineteen
Rhett
I’m woken up in the middle of the night by whimpers. At first, I’m confused, having no idea who could be crying. Selena and I made love after we came back, both of us needing each other with a desperation that even I didn’t know was possible. Every time we’re together, it only gets better and better. That’s why when I realize it’s Selena crying in her sleep, I’m beyond worried.
“Selena, baby. You need to wake up.” I hurriedly switch on the light on her side of the bed, my hand touching her the entire time, trying to soothe her until she’s awake.
“No, no, no.” She’s chanting in her sleep, not waking up from the dream. Fuck, it’s not just a dream, it’s a damn nightmare, and I’m almost scared to wake her up in case it makes things worse.
“Lena, baby.” I wrap my arms around her, one under her neck, the other on her hips, trying to get her out of this state. It seems like it goes on for hours when I know it’s only for minutes until she finally shows me those eyes of hers I love so much.