Page 6 of Jenna's Joyride

“That’s her, Lottie, come say hi.” Lottie babbles into the phone and sounds fills my heart with joy.

When Tessa takes the phone back, I’m ready to change the subject. “It’s crazy you guys have only been gone a few days. I miss her. How’s your trip?”

“Nice try… Spill. What happened with Walker?” There’s no one who knows me better than my sister.

In an instant, I’m pacing my room and practically shouting the details of my conversation with Walker into the phone. I tell my sister that I choose her and Lottie and that I’ll never go back on my commitment to my family. I let her know that he left and that I’m sad, but that I made a choice that wasn’t selfish and that part feels good. When I finally finish talking, Tessa meets my story with absolute silence.

It isn’t exactly the reaction I expected. “Tess, you still there?”

“Yes, I’m still here I’m just… shocked. You can’t possibly think for one minute that I’m going to congratulate you on making the worst decision of your life. Can you? No. Come on Jenna. Listen, I could never raise Lottie without you and I won’t. But that doesn’t mean you can’t live your own life. You can and you should. Your life was always meant to be with Walker. Why in the world would I send him there in the first place if I didn’t think that he was your forever? Go find him!”

My heart rate ticks up and adrenaline rushes through my veins. “Are you sure? Because I’d have to move to live by him and you’d have to find a way to—”

“We have cars… I mean, planes, trains, whatever. We’ll come see you. Lottie only has one auntie and she can never be replaced no matter where she is. Now you go find him before it’s too late! What time is his flight?” There’s an urgency in Tessa’s tone that makes me scramble for something to wear.

“Tess, I’ve got to go! I’m gonna be one of those crazy chicks from a romcom rushing through the airport searching for the love of my life at Christmas.”

“Hell yeah you are, good luck! Call me, love you.”

“Love you.” I slam the phone down and take the world’s fastest shower.

I fly through my hair and makeup routine. Then I take a quick look in the mirror. I don’t look anywhere near perfect and I don’t care. Walker has seen every side of me. By the time I step out of my room, an hour has passed and I have thirty minutes to meet Walker. I grab my car keys and take a deep breath before I pull open my front door.

I’m ready to fight for the man I love.

But as it turns out, I don’t have to go far to find him. Walker is already standing on my front porch.

6

Walker

A light, white, powder floats down from the sky and snowflakes land in Jenna’s eyelashes. She stares up at me, squinting like I might disappear if she dares to look away for a single second. My heart pounds in my chest and I pull her into a hug.

I can’t find the words, but that’s just like me. I’m not her. I can’t effortlessly enchant every person I meet. Yet I hope that somehow, my arms wrapped around her and my kiss on her forehead tells her everything she needs to hear. Because there’s never been anyone else for me.

It’s Jenna. It’s always been Jenna.

There isn’t a single person who can match her tenacity, charm, and kindness. She’s been through hell and back and she’s still the most generous person I’ve ever known. She lights up rooms and makes every person she encounters feel like the only one who matters. I’d do absolutely anything to make sure that this time, we’re together forever. Even if it means giving up everything else in my world.

“I love you, Jenna. I’ve never stopped loving you.”

Her mouth falls open and my breath catches in my throat. She’s mine. She’s always been mine, there can’t be any other answer.

“You’re here? You’re still here.” When she finally speaks, her voice is a faint, breathy gasp. “Thank goodness. What about your flight? Did you miss it? Don’t you have a work thing to get back to?”

I take her hands in mine. “I couldn’t leave. I’ve made that mistake before and I won’t do it again. So if you stay in Findlay, I stay. That’s how it is from now on. It’s how it was always meant to be. But in the past we couldn’t get out of our own, stupid way.” A chuckle forces its way out of me and I shake my head. “We could’ve been a few years into our two kids and white picket fence by now.” I pull the back of her hand to my mouth and plant a kiss on it.

Jenna’s eyes go glassy and her mouth curls into a broad smile. “I love you, Walker. You are my favorite person. I’ve never felt safer or more cherished than I do in your arms. You’re perfect. I want a life with you. That’s what I was doing. I was going to run through the airport and find you like a crazy ex-girlfriend.” She exhales a laugh and it fills me with warmth. “It might not be easy. There will be things to consider and big changes to make. But from now on, my home is wherever you are because the only place I want to be is by your side. You’re right, you are where I was meant to be all along. I’m sorry for the years we lost but—”

“Shh, no.” I stop her and pull her into a tight hug. Adrenaline courses through me as I press her head to that perfect spot on my chest. She fits against me like the missing piece of a puzzle. “There isn’t anything to be sorry for because I’m here, holding you. And I’d do it all over again as long as we get to end up together. I don’t want an easy life. I want a life that means something. Let’s be messy and go on adventures. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. Let’s take chances together.”

She nods with teary eyes that sparkle in the snow’s white reflection. “Walker, I would take a chance on us any day.” Jenna rocks up onto her tiptoes and her mouth presses into mine.

All at once, nothing will ever be the same. She’s all I’ve ever wanted and now that I have her, I’m never letting go.

EPILOGUE

TEN MONTHS LATER

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