Page 135 of The Promised Prince
“That’s what I gathered.” Drake laughed.
“Okay.” Trev pumped himself up. “Here I go again.” He swung the door open and stood like he had when he’d first arrived. She took his breath away again, just like she had the first time he saw her. She wore gray pants, but they actually fit her this time, making her long legs look incredible. Her shirt was loose, but every once in a while, the breeze would push it against her torso, chest, and arms in the best way. Her hair was coiled around the top of her head into a loose bun, and her skin was a golden color that accentuated the light color of her hair. He smiled again, just looking at her.
Trev slammed the door behind him and walked toward her with purpose so she was only an arm’s length away. She didn’t seem as stunned as the first time or as angry. That was a good sign.
“It’s so good to see you.” He smiled as he looked into her green eyes. “I’ve missed you in every way possible, every single day.”
She raised her eyebrows at the ridiculousness of it all.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and whispered to her, “Take two. Remember?”
Her head shook. “It’s good to see you too.” She half mumbled the words, but it was better than nothing.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. I was scared, but now the only thing I’m scared of is losing you. I’ve been miserable without you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded paper. “I even started keeping a list of things I wished I could talk to you about.” He smiled big at her. “Proof that I was thinking about you.” He unwrapped the paper and began reading from its lines. “Tybolt shaved his beard. I beat Drake in a fight.” His eyes scanned down the page. “I got a new suit. King Ezra sounds weird.” He tugged at his hair. “I’m growing my hair out. I saw a cactus. Drake loves Lizanne.” He looked up at Renna to see her reaction on that one. Then he suddenly felt self-conscious and tucked the paper back in his pocket. “Well, it’s all there. You can read it later if you want.”
Her brows furrowed. “Did Tybolt really shave his beard?”
Trev knew she’d love that one. “Yeah, right off. Somehow, he looked uglier without it.”
She laughed, and he felt whole again.
For months he had been empty; even just her laugh was enough to put his heart back together.
His voice grew soft and serious. “Renna, I love you. I should have told you that the day we sat on the edge of the dock at Wellenbreck Pond because somehow, I knew it then. Or when we were in the artifact room or shooting guns or dancing or when we kissed. I should have told you I loved you when we kissed.
“We spend so much time thinking about and deciding what is essential. The last two months, that’s all I’ve done. I’ve spent all my time worrying about what is essential for everyone else. You...” He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to touch her face. Her skin was warm and smooth, and just like he knew it would, a surge of energy flew through his body.
“You are essential to me,” he said softly.
Trev thought he heard someone sigh. His eyes flickered to the side of the house. The plump woman seemed embarrassed she had been caught eavesdropping and quickly hid behind the stone.
She wasn’t the woman he was trying to impress with his undying love, but at least someone thought he sounded good.
He looked back at Renna, hoping his words had melted her heart as much as they had her friend’s. “So?” he asked expectantly.
A slow smile spread across her lips as if she liked stringing him along. “So what?”
He slipped his hand behind Renna’s neck and pulled her closer, so their foreheads were touching. “So, do you love me too?”
He had never been so vulnerable in his life.
Her head bobbed up and down against his forehead. “I love you too,” she whispered.
“Whew!” He threw his head back. “That is a relief!” He pulled her into a hug, her body fitting perfectly under his arms. “I was worried after the disastrous take one.”
Her body laughed against his.
“You should’ve been worried.” She backed out of the hug to look at him. “I wasn’t sure this was going to end well for you.”
“I know, but I really think I nailed it in take two,” he said with mock seriousness. “Don’t you?”
She raised an eyebrow. “It was all right, I guess.”
“All right?” He called out to the older woman who was watching them again. “You thought I did good, right?”
She ducked her head behind the house again, but Trev heard her loudly and clearly say, “Yes, sir! Pretty darn near perfect.”
Renna spoke over her shoulder. “Don’t say too much, Nellie, or it will all go to his head.”
