Page 60 of Crashing Into Me
“I’m so sorry my mother went to the lengths she did. You didn’t deserve that,” he whispered.
She touched his face with her hand, feeling the familiar stubble that was growing in.
“I know Kayden; I don’t blame you. I hated leaving the way I did,” she dropped her hand and looked down from his eyes.
He could tell there was more she wanted to say.
“What is it?” he asked so sincerely, she almost melted in his arms.
“I was afraid your mom’s plan worked and that you had moved on with Kim,” she admitted, and he scoffed.
“Never. There is nothing about that succubus of a girl that I want or need in my life.” He raised her face to his and searched her eyes with his. “Nothing.”
“I believe you,” she replied, and he kissed her again, soft and slow. The wind was blowing through the plastic tarpsinto the house, whizzing by them as they kissed. Their body temperatures warmed one another as the brittle wind tried to cut through them. She pulled away from him slowly.
“I need to tell you something,” she said.
“What is it?” He led her through the house over to a bay window that wasn’t finished yet but could hold their weight.
“A couple of days ago, I was at a club—,” she started saying, but he put his hand up and she stopped.
“I know about the attack,” he finished.
“I figured as much,” she replied.
“There is nothing to explain. What happened in the club wasn’t your fault—don’t do that to yourself.”
“I just didn’t want you to think I had moved on—,” she stood up from the bay window, keeping her eyes on him.
“The thought never crossed my mind,” he replied.
Lana sat back down next to him, and he grabbed her hand, pulled her closer, and she rested her head on his chest.
“What happens next?”
“I don’t know, but for the first time in my life, I’m excited for that. No more will my mother dictate the way I live my life or use the past to hurt me,” he replied.
She looked up at his face and kissed his chin.
“It won’t be the same life you’re used to, and I don’t want you to wake up one day and resent me,” she replied.
He looked down at her, and his eyes were stormy and serious. She was afraid she’d insulted him, and then he began to speak.
“Let me tell you something. I have everything I have ever wanted right here in this room. And I don’t want you for one second to blame yourself because of anything my mother could do. Do you hear me? I love you, and all the money in the world or lack thereof will never change that.”
She had never heard words so sweet in her entire life, and she believed every one of them. Then he shifted, and she leanedforward so he could stand. Kayden reached into his pocket, dropped to one knee, and opened the ring box. She looked down into his face, into those gorgeous eyes rimmed in tears.
“I know I’ve asked you before, but I want to ask you again. Lana, will you please do me the honor of being my wife and letting me love you until the day I die?”
She burst into tears, nodding her head as he placed the ring back on her finger. He stood, and they embraced for what felt like forever.
“I’m never letting you go again,” he said. “Me either,” she replied.
21
almost mine
Practically the entire town of Hamby was currently in the town square. If someone needed to get somewhere by car, it would be a lost cause, as people crowded the streets and leisurely walked towards the new diner. Television news crews, photographers, and patrons all stood outside of Aunt Mae’s, waiting for the celebration and unveiling to happen. Kayden was at Spence Hotel getting dressed in Lana’s hotel room, and Maureen didn’t question why he was there, as it made sense for him to be close when it came time for the festivities.
