Page 21 of Say It's Forever

“Like thecitycity?”

“Yeah, town has a few places that sell winter gear, but I want better quality.”

“I’ve never been to the city.” I have seen it from a distance while inside a car, but that’s as close as I have ever gotten.

"If you're interested, we can stay for the weekend. Probably a good idea. We’ll need to get you a lot of things.”

“You can’t just buy me everything.” This man is so damn kind.

I never knew there were people like him in the world. My parents and the church taught us to fear everyone that wasn’t in our group. That they were all evil and corrupted by the devil, and they’d do the same to you if you got too close to them.

“I can, and I will.”

“But—”

“Are you my girl, Snow?”

“Your girl?” I’m confused by his question.

“Do I belong to you and you belong to me?”

“Like married people?”

“We don’t have to be married to belong to each other, but we can be if you want.” He puts gloves on me next. I stand there, slightly shocked by what he's saying. “It’s up to you, Snowball.” He taps the end of my nose.

“I’m your girl.” I love the way it sounds.

“And I’m your man.”

A smile breaks out across my face. “And you are my man,” I repeat. Before Garrett, I had no desire to have one of my own. I would never share him, but he already told me he’d never make me do that.

"Damn straight." He winks at me. "These might be hard to walk in, but you'll be standing outside more than moving around." Garrett drops to his knees in front of me. I brace my hands on his shoulders to step into the boots.

"So that thing flies?" I glance at the box he's opened and placed on the bed.

"Yes, you can see everything on this screen." He hands the thin pad to me.

"This is going to be so cool. How did you learn to use these?"

"When I was in the military. I can maneuver them better than the average person. It wasn't my specialty, but it's good to know how to use everything in case shit goes sideways. My brother is damn good with them, but I’m a better shot than him."

“Like a gun?” They always scared me, or maybe it was the men that carried them around the compound that were scary. Women weren't allowed to touch them.

“Yeah, I’ll train you on them.”

“I’m not sure I want to.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. Garrett uses his thumb to pull it free.

“I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to, Snow, but I have guns around the cabin, and it would be good to give you some safety lessons. You don’t ever have to point and fire it, but you should know how they work and how to handle them safely.”

He makes it sound so different and more about protecting me than using them to intimidate. “Okay.” I nod my head in agreement.

“That’s my girl.” He lifts the drone out of the box. “Ready?”

“Yep!” Excitement bubbles up inside me. Garrett leads me out onto the front porch. The second I step out, I have the urge to run back in. Until Garrett takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. Bear follows us out but stays by my side.

“No one will take you from me, Snow. I’m not trying to be cocky, but those men are no match for me. I can handle myself.” There's honestly no doubt in my mind that he can.

“What is cocky?” My eyes drop to his crotch, making him chuckle.

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