Finding Our Course (Finding our Way 3)

“I understand your feelings, but you have to think about long term.”

“I do, Quinn. I think about long term every single day. Each scenario of my long term includes Bryce by my side.” My voice spikes as I fight the ever-present fear. No one says it, but the unspoken question of him waking plagues us all.

“I don’t want to make you upset, but while you’re busy worrying about him, I’m worrying about you.”

“Thank you.”

She parks in front of the jewelry store and turns to me. “One more thing and then we’ll drop it. If it ever gets to be too much, the pain, the pressure, the depression, you promise to talk to me. I’m here for you, and even though I can’t even imagine the anguish you’re experiencing, I love him too. But he’s not the only one everyone’s concerned about. Watching you suffer guts us all.”

“I promise to talk to you if it becomes overwhelming—or more overwhelming than it already is.”

She searches my face then nods.

“Okay, let’s do this. Between your crazy idea and what I told Bryce before we left, he’s bound to wake up soon.”

“What did you say to him?”

She winks. “He’ll tell you soon enough.”

Oh, shit. Even unconscious, Quinn finds a way to bust his balls. For once, I can’t wait to see how this turns out.

Thank you for not taking no for an answer and giving me the fairytale every girl dreams of. Your love and support are my lifelines, and without them, I’d be nothing. That may sound pathetic, but now that I’ve experienced the depth of your devotion, there’s no going back. I can only hope that you feel the same passion and adoration from me.

My life is intertwined with yours, and I can’t fully breathe without you. All that matters is that we are together. I’d do anything in the world to see your beautiful blue eyes stare into mine right now. Physically and mentally, my heart craves your touch and the sound of your voice.

Bryce Randolph, you’re the bravest, strongest, and most loving man I’ve ever known, and I’ll be honored to be your wife. Please wake up and marry me.

I wipe my cheeks and slip the ring on his finger then lift it to my lips.

His chest rises and falls as normal, and I sit down and curl into his side like most nights. My eyes get heavy at the sound of his heart beating. I fall asleep with memories flooding my mind.

The way his lips curl when he gives me a cocky grin.

The heat in his eyes when I walk into a room.

The deep sound of his laugh when I amuse him.

The touch of his lips on my skin when he kisses up my spine.

The warmth of his body wrapped around mine after we make love.

The feeling of his hand running through my hair and massaging my scalp.

I snuggle in closer to him and inhale deeply, remembering his scent. Pressure on my head deepens, and I whimper, wishing it was real.

“Devon?” A raspy voice calls to me in my dream.

“Baby,” I reply, hoping he’ll keep talking.

“Devon, baby, wake up.”

“I don’t want to. You’re talking to me finally. That means you know who I am.”

“Of course I know who you are.”

“No, you don’t. If I wake up, you won’t know me. In my dreams, you always will.”

“Baby, what the fuck are you talking about?”