Page 74 of Falling Inn Love
Steve’s a big guy with a beard and a teddy bear vibe. I can see why Beth loves these people. They seem really great.
He pulls away from the curb and asks me if I want a drink or to stop for anything.
“I just need to see her.”
“Understandable. I’ll take you to her.”
“Where is she?”
“Cara tracked her location on her Find My Friends app, and it looks like she’s at the cemetery. I’m going to drop you off there, if that’s okay?”
I nod and take a deep breath. “Yeah. Definitely.” I’m nervous to see her, but I miss her so much.
“So you knew John?” I ask.
He was quiet for a bit then finally lets out a soft, “Yeah. He was a great guy.”
“Any words of advice?”
“Just love her, man. Don’t complicate things. Just love her through this. It’ll work out.”
He turns into the cemetery and drives up a hill before parking behind a white SUV.
My heart cracks when I look up and see Beth up on the hill, sitting on the ground, her long blonde hair falling in waves down her back.
I nod. “I’ll be okay. You don’t have to wait. Thank you.”
“Totally fine. Give me a wave when you’re ready,” he says.
I get out of the car and head up the hill. My heart is beating so fast. It feels like it’s in my throat and I can’t breathe. As I get closer, I can feel her pain radiating from her. I can feel her sadness with every step. All I want is to wrap her in a big hug and never let her go.
I know she can feel me, but she doesn’t move. Her shoulders shake slightly and I can tell she’s crying. She’s talking to them.
I look back and wave at Steve; he waves then drives off.
I carefully sit down behind her and scoot up around her. I pull her close to me and tuck her under my chin, just holding her. She never turns back to look at me, but her body relaxes and she sinks into mine, making relief flood through me. She wants me here and that’s all I need to know; I hold her tight and kiss her cheek.
THIRTY
BETH
No more maybes for us.
* * *
I can feel him approach; I know it’s him. The air around me changes as it always does when he’s near. It feels calmer, safer, and electric. In a good way.
I take a deep breath when I feel him slide in behind me and pull me close, wrapping his arms around me.
I was telling my family about him and thinking about some funny memories that we had together before they died. And then he came. He said he wouldn’t come, but here he is.
I lean back into him and take a deep breath. We sit like this for probably a half an hour. Just calm. Still.
Finally, he wipes my tears with the sleeve of his soft flannel and kisses my cheek. He has his cap on backwards and he leans in and pulls me tight, not saying anything. Just being here with me in this moment, the hot Texas wind blowing gently around us.
I lean in and finally murmur, “You came.”
He nods but doesn’t say anything.
