Page 106 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

We remain locked together before he pulls away enough to say, “Come on, we’ve got a lot to see this afternoon.”

Excitement fills me at the prospect.

Not only to explore the art museum, but to experience all the amazing things life has in store for us.

EPILOGUE

AUSTIN

Two years later…

As I walk outof the stadium after a grueling three-hour practice, I catch sight of Delilah waiting for me on a park bench with her head bent as she taps away on her computer. The long mass of her blonde hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun.

Studious is one way to describe her.

Mine is another.

We both ended up at the University of Wisconsin-Madison freshman year of college. I was awarded a full athletic ride and Delilah was able to cobble together a mixture of scholarships, grants, and financial aid so her mother pays the bear minimum. After conquering all of our obstacles, there was no way I was going to let her out of my sight for the next four years.

We both agreed that no matter where we ended up, it would be together.

I’m playing football and studying kinesiology. Madison has a Division I program and I’m hoping that if I continue to do well, I’ll have a shot at turning pro. That’s always been my dream, and now it seems like it might actually be within reach.

Delilah has just been accepted to the teaching program. Her passion is elementary education with a focus on reading disorders. She’s also minoring in photography. Sometimes she jokes and says that when she’s hired as an elementary educator, she’ll start a photography club so she can nurture artistic passion in others. Having a creative outlet to focus her energies on helped her through a lot of tough times, and she wants to give other kids the same opportunity.

Whatever Delilah does, she’ll be amazing, because that’s the kind of person she is.

Passionate.

Driven.

Caring.

I’m so damn lucky that she’s mine.

Her love isn’t something I’ll ever take for granted. It doesn’t escape me just how close I came to losing her. To missing out on the incredible life we’re living.

For just a second or two, I stop and stare as bright sunlight pours over her blonde head. She’s so fucking beautiful.

We’ve been together for two years. It’s almost impossible to remember what life was like without her filling it. Kind of like I was living in black and white. With her, it’s all bright Technicolor.

We currently live in the dorms, but junior year, we’re taking that next step and getting an apartment together. It’s come to the point where we need our own space. Delilah’s roommate is tired of me bunking with her every night, but I refuse to spend it alone. I like the feel of her wrapped up in my arms. And there’s no way in hell she’s sleeping in my suite with another dude there.

Just as I’m about to take a step in her direction, she glances up and meets my gaze. A quick smile springs to her lips and my heart spasms in my chest.

It’s like this every damn time.

As soon as she lifts her hand in a wave, I snap out of the daze that’s fallen over me and eat up the distance between us with a dozen long-legged strides. When I’m close enough, I snatch the computer from her hands and set it carefully on the bench before hauling her into my arms and smacking my lips against hers. It doesn’t take long for the kiss to deepen.

I’m so damn greedy for her.

“Get a room, Hawthorne,” one of my teammates hollers.

My mouth stays fused to hers as I lift a hand and give him a one-fingered salute.

Asshole.

There’s a lot of snickering as the group strolls past.

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