Page 72 of Love on the Brain
“They also speak the truth,” Ryan murmured, snaking his arm around Jane’s waist. “Pretend you didn’t hear that? Just for an hour or so?”
Jane’s cheeks burned as she lifted her chin to look up at him. “I’ll do my best.” Her lips spread into a wide grin. “Lesson one of parenting: Keep your secrets till the last possible second because littles can’t be trusted when they’re excited.”
“Noted.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. More than line dancing.”
“I love you more than fire whiskey.”
“Ooooh. This is serious. I love you more than—”
“Shhhhhh!”
Jane giggled as they were shushed by someone close by. Ryan winked at her as she wiped the sad tears off her face. What an epic way to flip sad what-wasn’t’s into happiness and what-could-be’s.
After the ceremony, Ryan drove them to the marina. Noah’s graduation request was ice cream cones for everyone. Jane opted for a milkshake, and as she sipped, surrounded by her family and friends under the marina’s lights, a mix of emotions swirled inside of her. Joy, security, love, nostalgia.
“Mommy!” Noah tugged at her hand. “I’m all done. Can you come walk with me?”
“Hmm? Oh. Sure, honey.” She turned to find the bench next to her void of Ryan.
Noah tugged her up from the bench and pulled her toward the dock, where a shadowy figure loomed, illuminated from behind by Crane’s Light.
There he was. She smiled in anticipation of what was to come, grateful for the semiprivate setting away from the rambunctious group that had gone suspiciously quiet.
“Slow down!” She laughed as Noah stumbled in his haste to get her down to the dock.
“But this is important, Mommy!”
“Okay, okay!”
Ryan stood casually, hands in his pockets, as they approached. He oozed confidence and steadiness, just like he always had. But as she neared him, there was something in his expression that belied his stance.
Vulnerability.
She recognized it in his face and felt it in her soul.
When they were within a few feet of him, Noah let go of her hand and approached Ryan. “Thanks, buddy.”
“Welcome!” Noah lifted his arms, and Ryan scooped him up.
Jane’s lower lip trembled as Noah wrapped his arms around Ryan’s neck in a tight hug, laying his head in the same spot where she’d so many times rested her own head. He kissed the top of Noah’s head and closed his eyes.
Jane’s eyes began to sting, but she didn’t fight against them or try to blink back the water that pooled and blurred her vision.
“You ready?” Ryan whispered to Noah.
Noah nodded and slid down Ryan’s side. He looked up at him with such adoration and happiness, Jane almost laughed. “One!”
“Two.” Ryan switched his gaze to Jane.
“Three!”
Ryan placed a steadying hand on Noah’s back as they both sank to one knee on the dock and reached out a hand.
“Hold our hands, Mommy! Why are you crying? Are you sad?”
