Page 106 of Even if You Fall

“You do need a ladder,” I conceded, a tease slipping into my voice when I continued. “Or a stepstool. Do I wanna know how you reach the top half of the shelves?”

She pinched my side. “You’re ruining the warm and comfy part of this.”

A smile pulled at my mouth in response to the one in her voice.

Dipping my head to press another kiss to the top of hers, I spoke in a softer and more sober tone than before. “I have an idea that isn’t all that crazy...”

She tipped her head back, her brows scrunched together in question before amusement stole across her face. “You’re ridiculous,” she breathed, but the excitement in her eyes prompted me to continue.

“You could always marry me.”

A brilliant, genuine smile lit up her face that would’ve brought me to my knees if I hadn’t already been lying down. “Is that so?” When an affirming grunt left me, she playfully whispered, “I can’t just marry you.”

“And why’s that?” I stole a brief kiss, then asked against her lips, “Didn’t you say you needed to fall in love with me first?”

“I did,” she confirmed against the next kiss before whispering, “But it’s Christmas Eve.”

“Perfect timing.”

“And the news of us eloping would take away from Lainey and Asher’s wedding next week,” she added.

I made a face because she wasn’t wrong, I just didn’t want to admit it right then. “We could hold off telling everyone until later.”

Her body shook with her silent laughter. “Your friends aren’t here.”

“I don’t care,” I lied.

“Yes, you do.”

I shifted back and admitted, “Yeah, I kinda do.”

A knowing hum sounded in her throat before a whisper of worry settled in her eyes. Lifting one of her hands, she trailed the tips of her fingers along my temple as she gently said, “You’re afraid to even fall asleep in the same house as me.”

“Not sure that’ll ever change, Bubbles,” I told her honestly. “But you’re the only one I wanna face my demons with.”

Emotion shone in her eyes, showing just how much that one statement meant to her—how proud she was. “We can’t just elope,” she breathed, even as her eyebrows drew together in question. “Can we?”

“We can. But you deserve an actual wedding.”

A disagreeing sound caught in her throat, and I knew before she ever spoke what she was going to say. It was a conversation we’d had often, ever since Briggs and Lainey decided they wanted to go back to Aruba for their wedding.

“I don’t care about weddings,” she reminded me. “I care aboutthis.” She placed her hand on my chest for emphasis. “I care about the life.”

I nodded because I knew that. I knew she was worried if her parents would even show, and if they did, she felt like she’d have to cater to them the entire time.

Still . . .

Unwrapping my arm from around her, I signed,And I care about what you deserve.

I studied her eyes as she intently watched my movements—slower than usual—her lips barely moving as she mouthed the words to herself. And my heart nearly escaped my chest when her gaze shifted back to me, admiration and love burning there, because I loved this girl.

I loved how, sometimes, she freely gave me all her emotions and thoughts, and others, it was a fight to get her to drop her mask. But the fight was always worth it when she fell into my arms like she’d just accomplished shedding a weight she hadn’t known how to escape from. I loved her unwavering confidence in me and support. I loved how perfectly she’d fit into my family and that she’d been determined to learn to sign for my dad.

Stealing one last kiss, I shifted over her, the corners of my mouth tipping up at the hushed giggle that left her as I opened the nightstand drawer and reached for the small, wrapped box I’d placed there when we’d arrived the day before.

Once I had it in my grasp, I sat on the bed and watched her eyes light up as she scrambled to sit up with me. Drowning in one of my sweatshirts. Red hair a mess from sleep. Never having looked more beautiful than she did right then.

“Christmas is tomorrow,” she reminded me as she scooted closer so her knees were pressed to mine.

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