Page 57 of Just Say When

“Your phone better be in your pocket when I get up there,” she said.

I blinked. “My phone? Are you hurt? I don’t have signal out here to call for a rescue. But I’ll carry you down if it comes to that.”

“My ankle is a little sore, but no, I mean you better not be recording this. I don’t need embarrassing video of me crawling up a mountain, covered in dust and mud, for you to show my future husband or whatever.”

I stared down at her. “Are you fucking kidding, Essie? This is not the time for jokes.”

“Oh, really? When would be a better time, then? After I’m dead?”

“Essie, I swear to fucking god, when you get up here, I’m going to?—”

“You’re going to what?”

I didn’t answer. She was within reach now. I grabbed her by the elbows and hauled her the rest of the way over the ledge. She stumbled into me, her breath erratic. I wrapped my arms around her waist and backed us away from the edge.

She burrowed into me, her body vibrating. We stood there, clinging to each other, her head resting on my chest, tucked under my chin. Her lips pressed against my shirt in a damp kiss, like she was trying to reassure herself with my heartbeat. I breathed in her scent, the vanilla underneath the dirt and sweat. It felt like the first full breath I had taken since she went over the edge.

“You’re going to what?” she whispered.

My mind went blank. “Hm?”

“You said,Essie, I swear to fucking god,” she mimicked, her voice dropping to a deep husk, “when you get up here, I’m going to—what? What are you going to do?”

Never let you go.

My arms tightened around her.

I loved her. Fucking hell, I loved her.

“Don’t you dare try to spank me,” she said. “I’m warning you, I bite.”

She laughed shakily. Her body still shivered against mine. She was telling jokes, but she wasn’t fine at all.

“It’s okay.” My voice was hoarse. “You’re okay.”

She jerked her head back to look me in the eyes. “You almost died.” The words were an accusation, her expression fierce.

I remembered the look in her eyes as she grabbed my shirt with all the strength she had in her body. She had saved my life without any consideration that it might cost hers. She’d do it again in a heartbeat. I knew that. Whatever Essie did, she did with her whole heart. That was how she lived. That was how she loved.

Fuck.

I loved her.

And the worst part was, she loved me, too.

23

Essie

Jack:

Mom wants you to come to dinner tonight.

Essie:

Brax too?

Jack:

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