Page 65 of The Promises We Broke
He heaved out a breath, almost a sigh of relief or perhaps it was resignation before he looked at Reece.
"Maybe," he said quietly. "Maybe I'd like that."
The table erupted in gentle encouragement, everyone talking at once about road trips and phone calls and second chances. In the middle of it all, I caught Billie's eye across the table. She wassmiling at me with something warm and proud, and it made my chest tight with affection.
"Actually," I said, raising my voice slightly to get everyone's attention, "I have something I wanted to ask."
The conversation died down, all eyes turning to me. My heart started racing, but looking at Billie's encouraging face gave me the courage to continue.
"The harvest festival is in a couple of weeks. We should all go, like we used to when we were kids," I said, my eyes finding Billie's across the table. "Billie, would you like to go with me?"
Her smile was radiant. "I'd love to."
"Great," I said, feeling like I might float right out of my chair. "It's a date."
The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I saw her eyebrows raise slightly. But she didn't correct me, didn't emphasize the friendship boundary we'd been so careful to maintain.
"It's a date," she agreed, and the warmth in her voice made my heart race.
Cade asked about the festival and Trace immediately launched into the story about me once laughing so hard that cotton candy came out my nose.
After dinner, I found myself on the front porch with Billie, the late evening air crisp with the promise of autumn. She was wrapped in one of Delaney's cardigans, her hair catching the golden light from the porch fixture.
"The festival's going to be fun," I said, trying to sound casual.
"I hope you still have good aim at the ring toss," she said with a smile that reminded me of being sixteen and trying to win her ridiculous stuffed animals.
"I guess we'll find out." I smiled as I flooded with memories of simpler times and every single one of them featured the beautiful woman beside me.
I realized then that she was in them all. Every single happy memory I had growing up always featured Billie at my side.
"Do you still want to come and see the house tomorrow?" I asked, leaning back against the porch railing so I could watch the way the evening sun caught her hair.
"Of course. I can't wait to see what you've done so far."
"Not much." I laughed. "Booker and Trace only let me supervise, but at least it's given me time to get all the plans drawn up."
"I can't wait to see them."
"I can't wait to show you them," I said, staring into her eyes and seeing the possibility of an entire future inside them. We stood like that in silence, soaking in the peace of the evening and the comfort of being together again and it felt like this was a significant moment. I was ready to promise her the world, and I hoped like hell that one day she'd be ready to accept it.
Chapter 23
Billie
I'd been staring at the swimming hole house for ten minutes before Gage arrived, trying to prepare myself for whatever emotions this visit might stir up. The old Victorian sat on its small rise of land like a patient guardian, weathered but dignified, surrounded by ancient oak trees that had witnessed decades of dreams and promises.
Some of which had been mine. Some had been ours.
The sound of gravel crunching under tires made me turn. Booker's truck pulled up beside my car, and I watched as he got out to help Gage maneuver his crutches from the passenger seat. Even with the awkward cast and careful movements, Gage looked more confident than I'd seen him since he'd come home. There was something in his posture, the way he held his shoulders, that spoke to a man who was building something rather than just surviving.
"Thanks for the ride," Gage called to Booker, who waved and drove off with a knowing smile that made my cheeks warm.
"Sorry I'm late," Gage said as he made his way over to me. "Had to wait for Booker to finish with the morning chores."
"I wasn't waiting long." I gestured toward the house. "I was just... remembering."
His expression softened. "Good memories, I hope."
