"It wasn't maybe," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "It was always. It's always been you, Liv. I just didn't think I deserved you."
The tears I'd been holding back for days finally spilled over. "You idiot," I whispered, a watery laugh escaping. "I've been in love with you since I was sixteen."
His eyes widened. "Sixteen? Why didn't you ever say anything?"
"Why didn't you?" I countered.
A slow smile spread across his face. A real smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Fair point."
I didn't wait for him to say more. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him down to me, pressing my lips against his in a kiss that contained years of longing, days of heartache, and the overwhelming joy of finally being honest.
His arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me slightly as he deepened the kiss. The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles, but I barely heard them. All that mattered was Garner, solid and real against me, his heart hammering in time with mine.
When we finally broke apart, breathless and grinning, I saw Ruby standing off to the side, her lips curled up in a smug smile.
"Finally," she said with an exaggerated eye roll that couldn't hide her genuine delight. "I was beginning to think you two would never figure it out."
Garner laughed, his arm still secure around my waist. "Sorry for the delay, Mrs. Nelson."
"Don't waste any more time," she advised with a maternal pat to his cheek. "Life's too short for pretending."
As the band started up again and the crowd's attention gradually shifted back to the music, Garner led me away from the crowd to a quiet spot underneath the oak tree where I’d abandoned my blanket.
"So," he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Still want to go through with that breakup?"
I wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling up at him. "I think we've given the town enough to talk about for one night, don't you?"
"Probably for the whole summer," he said.
"Good," I said, rising on tiptoes to press a soft kiss to his lips. "Because I'm not letting you go now that I've got you."
He tightened his arms around me, his expression turning serious. "I meant what I said, Liv. I love you. Not just as a friend, not just as?—"
"I know," I interrupted. "I love you too. For real. No pretending."
As the music played and the glowing light of fireflies started to appear, I rested my head against Garner's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The elastic hair tie that had been digging into my wrist all week suddenly felt unnecessary. I slipped it off and tucked it into his pocket.
"What was that for?" he asked.
I smiled up at him. "I don't think I need it anymore. Turns out what I was anxious about all along was actually the best thing that could have happened to me."
His smile said it all, that he was steady, sure, and mine. And when he kissed me, every doubt faded away. We were inevitable. Just the two of us, exactly where we were always meant to end up.
EPILOGUE
COOPER
The last time I drove down Main Street, I was in handcuffs.
Now, I’m gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles are white, but at least I’m the one behind the wheel. The old Chevy pickup rattles with every bump, like it’s not sure it wants to carry me back into Mustang Mountain. I know the feeling. Every inch closer, the knot in my gut tightens.
Nelson Mercantile comes into view, the same crooked sign swinging over the door. Ruby has had that sign for decades, claims it’s good luck. I’m not sure luck has anything to do with Mustang Mountain these days. Most of the guys I used to run with have either gotten married off by Ruby or fled for bigger towns. Those of us who stayed? We’ve got scars that run a lot deeper than the town gossip mill knows.
I park across from the Merc and kill the engine. For a moment, I just sit there. My reflection stares back at me from the rearview mirror. The beard’s new. So are the lines around my eyes. I’m not the man I used to be. Hell, I’m not sure what man I am now. But I’ve got a plan thanks to Ruby. A gym and a fresh start. Ruby has had my back this whole time, and now I just need the town to give me a shot.
The bell above the Merc’s door jingles as I step inside. It’s like time stood still in here. Same wooden floors. Same shelves stocked with homemade jams and pickles. Same Ruby Nelson, standing behind the counter like the queen of this tiny kingdom.
“Well, look what the mountain dragged back.” Ruby’s smile is as sharp as ever. “Cooper Montgomery, in the flesh.”
