“I told him I couldn’t. In the off-chance I don’t get accepted at UVA, that’s a different story.”
We sit in silence for a few minutes as her words sink in. I stare blankly out the window, twisting the ring around my finger. Selfishly, the rejection of his idea thrills me, but realistically, she’s making a mistake.
“I think you should reconsider,” I blurt out.
“You would. But my mind’s made up. I’ve already spoken to my parents, too.”
“What happens if I marry Bryce and have to move before we get through the program?”
She reaches one hand across the seat and clamps it with mine. “You’re not the reason I made the decision. Yes, you are a big part of it, but it’s what I want. This school, this program, the opportunities… they all mean a lot to me. It’ll suck ass if you’re not here, but I’ve made other friends. The professors are some of the best in the country. I’d be an idiot to let this opportunity slip by.”
“Remember what Shana told me. Opportunity doesn’t keep you warm at night.”
“I know. That’s why Dean has agreed that we’ll make adjustments for the two years it takes to get through.”
She stays quiet, drawing out the curiosity.
“Hooch! You gonna make me ask or spill it?”
“He’s going to put in a temporary transfer for a law firm in the area. He’ll have to look into the state bar, but he can move here until I finish.”
“Was all this discussed in Atlanta last weekend?” I refer to her most recent trip without me.
“It’s been a gradual discussion. At first, he was upset I wouldn’t consider applying anywhere else. I showed him our projects. Suddenly, he understood. When he saw the pictures of us in the gymnasium with the two Hungarian gymnasts, his whole demeanor changed. Then he read my piece on the pressure they felt to make the Olympic team and bring home a medal, and he got it.”
“Wow, so this is very serious then.”
“Yeah. I questioned why he’d uproot his life for a girlfriend.”
“What did he say?” I lean forward to see her face.
Her lips start to twitch, and then she smiles widely. “He said he wouldn’t be uprooting his life for his girlfriend. He said he’d be doing it to support his future wife.”
My heart stops then starts racing. I scream loudly, raising our attached hands.
“Oh my God! This is amazing.”
“We’ll see. We have a long way to go.”
“So, really, the whole ‘Devon, have you figured out a plan yet’ was a ruse to tell me you already made our plan?”
“Yes. We’re going to take normal semester hours and graduate next spring. No summer school. Then, we’re going to take the summer off. You may want to get married.” She winks coyly. “I’m thinking about moving to Atlanta for those few months to give it a trial run.”
“Holy shit. I can’t believe this.”
“Believe it, girl, because it’s happening.”
“You’re really good at this planning thing. Think I’m handing over the reins.”
“Hell no!”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I think we may be maturing.”
“You betcha, hooch!”
Another memory to lock in.
Chapter 12