Far From Home

I shrugged. “It was there, so I grabbed it.” Once she joined me on the sofa, I set my glass to the side, then dug into my back pocket. “Before you say anything, this isn’t what you think it is.” From my pocket, I took out a small box, and inside of it was a single silver band.

Taylor’s eyes widened, but she didn’t take it from me.

“How is that not what I think it is?”

“It’s a promise ring,” I told her. “Or my version of one, anyway. It’s simple and not too fancy.” Removing it from the box, I held out my hand, smiling when she took it. “I had to get some help from your mom, so I hope this fits. I understand your hesitation when it comes to long-distance relationships. I also know you’re going to come with me during one of my next breaks overseas. But if you ever find yourself worrying or wondering if we can make this work, look at this ring.

I promise to never lead you on. I’ll always be honest with you. If we ever are apart, I will call you every day and miss you just as much. I realize it may be too soon to promise the rest of our lives together, but I promise to give it my all as long as you’re willing to do the same.

I love you. I’ve loved you ever since our first week together. First as a good friend, and now? I can’t imagine not having you in my life. I want to hear you laugh, I want to see you smile, and I want to be there for you when you break down. Even if you decide we’re better as friends, I always want to be a part of your life.”

Her hand shook as she took the ring from me. She slipped the band onto her ring finger with ease. “I love you too, and I promise to do whatever I can to make this work, even if I have to move overseas to be with you.”

Releasing a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, I melted in her arms, kissing her gently once I did.

“Now we have a reason to celebrate,” she said, breaking our kiss before pulling away from the sofa. “And if it’s okay with you, I’m going to break into that cake.”

“I’m right behind you.”

Chapter Twelve

Taylor

With the candles mostly burned out and their light replaced with the glow of the fire, I curled up against Sam, full of cake and cider. Listening to her even breaths as she ran her hand through my hair, I played with the band on my finger. The butterflies in my stomach were still there, and I knew I’d have to explain this to my folks once we got back to the house, but I was happy. Really happy.

Even if it wasn’t an engagement ring, that somehow made this one better. It was too soon to think long-term, but for Sam to acknowledge my fears—no matter how silly—she made the possibility of a long-distance relationship seem a little less unnerving.

“Where have you gone?” Sam asked, craning her neck so she could meet my gaze. “You zoned out,” she told me when I didn’t say anything.

“Nowhere, really. Just here, in this house with you.” I sunk in her arms, releasing a slow breath when she held me close.

It was strange looking back on how things were a few weeks ago. Back when we weren’t a thing. Back when we didn’t exist.

But now? After spending the entire holiday break together?

I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else, and that scared the shit out of me. To be so dependent on someone. To fall so deeply in lust. You know what’ll happen.

I’d been burned before, but Sam would never do anything to hurt me. I was sure of it.

Swallowing around my nerves, I said, “How far do you see this going?”

“As far as we allow.” There was an edge to her voice, and when I met her gaze, I realized I’d caused her pain without meaning to. “What do you need me to do to convince you

things will be okay? What do you need me to say?” The tears in her voice matched the ones in her eyes.

I shook my head. I don’t know. “We don’t know if things will be okay a month or even two months from now.”

“Which is true about everything else. Another relationship, school, a job… However, in answer to your question, as long as it’s within our control, I can see things going on for a while.”

“But what if you decide to go home and stay there? I can’t ask you to pack up and leave.”

“No,” she agreed, her voice sounding just as tight as it had before, “and I can’t ask you to do the same. If you’re that concerned, maybe we should call things off while we’re ahead.

We can enjoy the rest of this week, then go back to just being friends once we go back to school.”

My heart dipped. I didn’t like the sound of that, either.

“That isn’t fair to either one of us.”