“Wow, I’m so sorry.” I rubbed his hand, running my fingernails along the contours of the back of his hand.
“It’s okay, no sorry needed. It is what it is. But that’s why I’m so protective of Allie. If anything happened to her, I’d never forgive myself.”
“Aw, that must be a hard burden to carry. She’s a strong woman. Seems pretty kick ass to me. Is she complaining?”
“No, not really. But I can tell sometimes. She wants to tell me to fuck off, but she’s too nice.”
“Do you trust her?”
“I trust her. It’s men I don’t trust.”
“I understand. I’m sure Allie does, too. And now you have me. We’ll both look out for her, okay?”
Ravi kissed me long and hard, not carrying who from the diner saw. Our love was on full display now, loud and proud for anyone to see. When he broke away, he smiled against my lips. “I love you, Maisie. Be my girlfriend, my wife, my everything until the end of time.”
“Always, Ravi. Always. I love you so much.”
We kissed again, over and over, until we finally took the pizza to go and left, finishing our make-out session in Ravi’s truck. After several kisses, he drove us along the mountain roads, not stopping until we were far up the mountain. He parked at a lookout, the stars on full display.
We made love in his truck that night, only the two of us beneath the starry sky and moon, something that soon became a common occurrence. Inside his large truck, we came together as one and left as one. Ready to conquer anything and everything the world might throw at us all while finding pleasure between us.
Several months later, after many dates, lots of laughs, and a few small hiccups, Ravi got down on one knee on the same lookout and proposed.
“I love you more than life itself, Maisie Grande. Please make me the happiest man on earth and marry me.”
“Of course, Ravi! Of course I’d marry you.” I jumped into his arms, tears streaming down my face, as I kissed him over and over again.
Love really came to those who waited.
EPILOGUE
Maisie
One year later
Raviand I were married on my family’s property in October, in front of all of our family and friends. It seemed like the entire town showed.
After proposing to me, things moved quickly. Not like we weren’t used to it. But preparations for the wedding started right away. As a gift to us, they handed the main cabin over to us, which my grandparents moved into a small cabin on the property. They insisted they were done with the large, drafty space, but the love shining from their eyes told me differently.
Ravi moved out of his apartment and into the main cabin with me while his sister moved into the cabin I stayed in before living with Ravi. His mother also joined us in Appleridge, moving into another spare cabin.
Having both of our families together on the same land was the best feeling and as the wedding grew closer and prep became more hectic, we all grew closer.
“I hope when I get married, we all come together like this,” Alicia said as she popped a cracker and piece of cheese in her mouth.
“Same, girl. Though I’m not sure Ravi will even let me get married.” Allie mused.
“Of course he will. I gave him more to protect. Takes some heat off of you.” I grinned at Allie.
“Thank you.”
I smiled at my girls and set off to find Ravi, myhusband.
He talked animatedly to a few of the guys from his lumberjack crew and I snuck up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face in his back. “Sorry guys. Can I have my man for just a second?”
“He’s yours, lucky girl!” Banks catcalled as I whisked Ravi away, tugging on his hand as we dodged the crowd sending us funny looks. I didn’t stop until I found a space with no people, and quickly shut the door behind me, flicking on the lights.
I let go of his hand and walked to the other side of the small room, a table now between us.
