Page 82 of Courageous Hearts

My breaths are uneven, shaky, and it takes me a moment to find my voice. But once I do…

“Kiss me,” I demand.

Jameson grins, dimple popping as he leans forward without hesitation. His lips meet mine in an instant, soft but firm as I get my first taste of Jameson in days. Only four? It feels like so much longer since we sat in his car at the airport.

This kiss tastes like salt from my tears—like the sea. But it’s fitting. Because soon enough, Jameson clears it away, leaving only the taste of him. It’s like coming home, even though we’re clear across the country. It’s like he brought a piece of it with him.

When we finally break apart, foreheads resting together, my chest feels tight, but not for unwelcome reasons.

“Thank you for comin’,” I whisper. My legs are still wrapped around Jameson, and his are crossed below me, probably dead asleep from my weight pressing them to the dock.

“I was worried you might be mad. You told me not to,” he says.

I swallow, clearing the roughness from my throat. “I know. I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t wanna be too…”

“What?” he asks gently.

“Needy,” I admit. “I feel real damn needy when it comes to you.”

Jameson smiles like that’s the best thing he’s ever heard. “Well, I feel pretty damn clingy when it comes to you, Blue. So be as needy as you want. I need you, too.”

“Fuck.” I clunk my forehead against Jameson’s shoulder.

He chuckles, tightening his arms around my back, and we stay tangled like that for a long while, wound around one another as if we both need the proximity. As if too close doesn’t exist.

“Are you okay?” he asks at last, his voice soft and a tiny bit concerned.

“Better now,” I admit, leaning back so he can read the truth of it on my face. “I can’t believe you’re here. How did… Wait, what about work?”

“Missa was very understanding,” he says. “Once I told her, in vague terms, what was going on, she practically threatened me to bring you back safe and sound.”

My lips quirk into a smile. “And, uh, Will picked you up at the airport, I’m guessin’?”

He nods. “I got his number from Dee.”

“Y’all are conspirin’ against me,” I say, even though I don’t mind. Not considering it brought me Jameson.

He gives me the strangest look.

“What?” I ask.

“Can you say ‘y’all’ again? It got me kinda hot.”

I swat his chest, and Jameson laughs.

“How about a cowboy hat? Would you wear one of those?” he teases.

I ignore his suggestion, finally extracting myself and standing. “C’mon,” I say, offering him a hand.

“Where are we going?” he asks, letting me pull him up.

“First, you needa meet Sara,” I say, leading us toward her cabin. “And then we’re goin’ out.”

“Where to?” he asks.

“Anywhere,” I answer, tugging Jameson along. “What do you wanna see? Plum Valley’s ice cream shop? The tiny post office?”

“How about your favorite place?” he counters.

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