Page 77 of Crazy for You

“Thanks.”

“I’m so proud of you. For the record, I never had any doubt that you would get in.”

Emma laughed softly. “Well, for the record, I had plenty of doubt, but I’m glad I got in. I’m relieved. I’m really excited.”

“I bet you are. Did you tell Ryan yet?”

“I called, but he didn’t answer.”

“He’s going to be so proud of you, too. We should get everyone together and go out tonight to celebrate.”

Emma felt herself grinning like a fool. “Actually, that sounds really fun.”

“Great. You tell Ryan. I’ll rally everyone else. See you tonight.”

Emma hung up, her gaze returning to the acceptance email. Gabby was right. Ryan would be proud of her. Would any part of him want her to stay? Or would he just feel relieved that their relationship had a clear end in sight without a messy breakup?

The little tug she felt in her chest was definitely all about him. It was her poor heart cracking at the thought of leaving him behind. But she wouldn’t let it break. Nothing was going to ruin this for her, and no man was going to derail her dreams.

Chin up, she brought her laptop into the bedroom and curled up in bed to browse apartments in Georgia. A half hour later, she heard the sound of a motorcycle approaching. Not necessarily Ryan, but…

She hurried to the front door, where indeed his Harley came into view at the bottom of the hill, winding its way up to her driveway. He pulled in and killed the engine, giving her a wicked smile. “Lookin’ for me?”

She nodded, motioning for him to follow her inside. She handed him her phone with the acceptance email open on the screen, watching as his expression went from guarded to ecstatic. He grabbed her and spun her around, a huge smile on his face. “Holy shit. You did it!”

She nodded, wrapping her arms around him.

“I am so fucking proud of you, babe.”

“Thank you. I can’t quite believe it.”

“If anyone understands how much this means to you, it’s me,” he said, his expression earnest. “Kids like Trent…they get college pushed on them so that it feels almost like an obligation. For you and me? It was the impossible dream. And now you’re living it.”

“I am.” She pressed her face against his neck.

“You’re going places.”

“Sometimes I wish they weren’t such faraway places,” she whispered.

“Yeah, me, too.” His voice sounded a bit gruff. “But Georgia’s not so far away. You can still visit, and we’ll come see you, too.”

“Yes.”

They were quiet for a few beats, just clinging to each other while she tried to think of a way that leaving him behind in Haven didn’t totally suck.

“We’re going out tonight to celebrate,” she said.

“Yeah?”

She nodded against his neck. “I don’t know the details yet, but Gabby’s rounding everyone up.”

“Sounds good to me. I’ve got some business in town this afternoon, was on my way there when I saw your missed call. I’ll come by and pick you up later?”

“Okay.”

He pulled back to look into her eyes. “Not that I ever doubted you’d get in, but seriously…congratulations. This is great news.”

Her eyes grew misty. “Thanks.”

---