Page 71 of Waiting For Fate

“Why this? Why there?” I point to the tattoo again. He smirks as he caresses my cheek with his thumb.

“You were dressed like an angel that night. When the girls left you in the corn maze and we started walking together, you got scared and you grabbed onto me so tight that you left nail marks on my ribs right here. The scalloped part of the wings are the outline of your fingernails. When they started to fade it felt too much like a sign of what was to come. I knew I didn’t want them to fade because I didn’t want our friendship to either, even though I was pretty certain it would, given the way I was having to avoid you. So, I got them inked in permanently. Your name, well, I should hope that one is obvious.” He smirks, but it’s a sad smirk—not playful or flirty like the ones I’ve grown so fond of. I wrap my arms around him, resting my head on his bare chest, basking in the warmth and the wild rhythm of his heartbeat.

“I can’t believe we lost so much time.” He kisses the top of my head, running a hand through my hair.

“I know. But we’re together now. And I’m not losing another damn second with you.”

CHAPTER 30

SAWYER

She loved me.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for not handling things differently back then, but I’m sure as hell going to be handling them better from here on out.

DING.

Leah grabs her phone off the counter as texts continue to come in one after another.

“Shit,” she whispers, biting on the inside of cheek.

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot I was supposed to go to Ruby’s after dinner with my parents tonight.” She tilts her head up to look at me, and I can’t help but love that she looks a little disappointed about that. Since the alternative was going on a date with me.

“That’s right. The should-be-illegal-on-a-work-night girls’ night.”

“That’s the one.” She points her finger at me, giving a sarcastic smile. I can tell how torn she is over having to choose between canceling her already established plans and the ones I sprung on her at the last minute.

“Go have your girls’ night.” My encouragement earns me a scowl from her that makes me laugh. “That way I have time to plan something really good for us to do for our first date.” Her expression changes immediately, and a warmth appears across her cheeks when she smiles.

“Okay.” I lean down and take her lips in mine, basking in the way that this feels more right than anything else ever has. Not even my skates hitting the ice compares to the way I feel when I kiss this woman.

I force myself to pry my lips from hers and grab my keys from the counter before turning to head out. “Tell the spice girls I say hello.” I wave over my head.

“Which one am I?” She calls after me, causing me to turn around just as I reach the door.

“Which one is baby spice?” Her face falls into a scowl again.

“Get out of my house.” I bark out a laugh when she throws her hand up, directing me to leave.

“Catch you later, Dove.” I give her a wink and head home.

CHAPTER 31

LEAH

If today taught me anything it’s how easily I could get lost in Sawyer. In the way he looks at me, touches me, the way he makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world when we’re together. Which is how I ended up completely forgetting that I was supposed to be at Ruby’s about ten minutes ago.

When I walk in the door, I can already hear laughter pouring from the kitchen and see Hendrix singing the ABC song to Poe on the living room floor. He says his brother is going to be the smartest baby because he’s going to teach him everything he knows—which is everything.

“Having all the fun without me?” All the girls turn to face me when I make it to the end of the island in the kitchen.

“Well, it’s not our fault you’re late!” Shane throws a chip at me with a smile on her face.

“Sorry, I got a little caught up.”

“How are Loretta and Allen doing?” Taylor asks, popping the top of her diet soda open.

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