Page 117 of The Thorne at My Side
The ring of cherry trees looms larger with each step I take and the nerves settle back in. Although, I don't feel anxious exactly. I feel excited. It's anticipation.
These next few moments will alter my life path. And it’s a path I couldn’t have planned if I tried.
As I slowly make my way closer I realize that I am comfortable taking this risk. If it all goes wrong I’ll still be fine. I'm okay walking up to the little stump of a cherry tree with one branch left in bloom not knowing who is standing on the other side.
I’ve come back from losing everything I had ever worked for, and am happier than I could have imagined. The addition of a partner is the cherry on top. If this doesn’t work out I can still count on myself to recover.
Not just survive, but thrive.
When I approach the tree there are a few people taking pictures but I spot a figure sitting by the edge of the water.
His back is to me as I walk up but his hair is dark. His arms are propped up on his knees so I can't tell how tall he is but his back andshoulders look strong, sturdy.
A branch crunches under my foot and I glance down at it.
"Maggie, you came."
My head snaps up.
Time stands still.
Tears well in my eyes and I start shaking my head. This can't be. This is too much. This is what I wanted. This is impossible.
Austin stands and shrugs, bunching up the jacket of his steel blue suit, and steps over to me.
"You're late," he scolds and the tears spill over onto my cheeks. I go to wipe them with the back of my hand but I bump into his thumbs as he brushes them away.
"Don't cry MC, don’t cry.” His touch grazes across my cheeks. “This is a good thing."
"I know it is," I wail and then we both start laughing.
"Sorry, I wouldn't dream of telling you how to feel."
"How long have you known?" I ask. Needing to know the answer while also dreading it.
"Since Lapis. I showed up and it was you and I panicked."
"Am I the girl from the podcast?"
"You heard that?"
"My sister sent it to me and I'll explain to you later why that's a stretch."
He laughs, "I can't wait to know everything about you. And, yes, you're the girl from the podcast."
I sniffle and he intertwines our fingers bringing them between us. Then he wraps his hands around mine and holds them tight. His bourbon eyes burn me as he holds my gaze.
"Thank god you’re here. I was so scared you wouldn’t come.” He exhales. “You make me better. You make me want to be the best version of myself. I want you to be proud of me. I want you to rely on me. I want to support you in everything you do. You'reincredible and amazing and all the other adjectives you can think of."
I let out a laugh because he knows me well enough to know that I'm wordsmithing even as he declares his love for me.
Hislovefor me!
"You're perfect, Maggie Collins and I can't pretend I don't love you for one more minute."
"Oh, Austin," is the only phrase I can get out before his hands dive into my hair and he pulls my lips to his with the hunger of a starved man. My arms wrap around him and I hold him to me.
This man has been a pebble in my shoe since we met. Always there in some way. Sometimes annoying, sometimes arousing, but always present.
