He lifted his head and looked at her, his imploring eyes full of remorse and longing.
“But I’llneverforgive myself if I’ve messed up things with you, Taylor.”
The aching tenderness in his voice shattered her. She reached for him.
Jamar captured her hands and brought them to his lips, pressing a firm yet gentle kiss to the backs of her fingers.
“I’ve spent the past eight years existing, but not really living. I didn’t think I deserved a life. I definitely didn’t deserve happiness.” His mouth tipped up in the barest smile. “And then one day I came to this very park and found you, and my entire life changed.
“You showed me what it means to be happy, Taylor.” He bowed his head and with an anguished plea said, “Just tell me what I have to do to make this right, and it’s done. I’ll do anything.Everything. As long as I don’t have to let you go.”
A fierce rush of emotion surged through her, its intensity so powerful it took her breath away. Taylor captured his face in her hands and tilted it up so she could look at him.
“Damn you, Twenty-Three. How dare you make me cry in public,” she said with a tearful laugh. She ran her thumb over his lips before brushing her own against them. “You don’t have to do anything more,” she whispered. “Because I’m not letting you go either.” Taylor rested her forehead against his. They stood there for several moments before she said, “Now that you won’t be spending five hours in the gym every day, what are you going to do with all your time?”
He squinted as if contemplating. “Hmm . . . I think I’m going to Disney World. Care to join me?”
EPILOGUE
Taylor rested an elbow on the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth and peered out at the sea of bodies moving with the cowgirl leading the Texas Two-Step. The crowd had been boisterous all night, but the energy level had spiked once the live band took to the stage.
To no one’s surprise, several patrons had come to their table, seeking an autograph, picture, or both from their favorite Longhorns running back. Taylor doubted she’d ever get used to it, but as she looked over at Jamar—who was in an animated conversation with Daniel—she knew it was worth it. She would happily put up with the interruptions from random strangers if it meant being with him.
“Hey, Taylor,” Samiah called as she reached into the basket of sweet potato fries they’d ordered as an appetizer. “What were you saying about that website? Have they had a change of heart?”
“Not exactly,” Taylor said. “The editor atModish and Melanatedcontacted me yesterday to discuss the possibility of me writing a few featured articles for the site. It’s not the job I wanted, of course, but I figure it’s a way for me to get my feet wet and remain on their radar.”
“Don’t forget the most important part,” Jamar chimed in. He took a pull on his bottle of Shiner Bock. “Once she earns her degree and expands Taylor’d Conditioning into a world-dominating fitness empire, having some articles written on a nationally known website will look pretty good in the brochures.”
“Oh, I like the way you think,” Taylor said, kissing him on the nose.
London rolled her eyes and groaned. “Lord, save me from yet another nauseatingly sweet couple.”
“I know,” Taylor said. “We’re disgustingly sweet. You should try to find—”
“Wait.” London cut her off, holding up a hand. “Was that a yeehaw? Did I just hear a genuine yeehaw? Whose idea was it to come to this place?”
“The birthday boy’s.” Samiah laughed. “Daniel’s been in Texas all these months and has never been to a honky-tonk.”
“I’ve lived here all mylife, and I’ve never been to a damn honky-tonk.” London pointed a cheese-stuffed jalapeño at Daniel. “You’d better be happy it’s your birthday, Dimples, and that the food is good. Otherwise I’d be out of here.”
“You’re not enjoying this?” Daniel gestured at the memorabilia covering nearly every inch of wall space. “This would impress the hell out of country music fans.”
“Of which I am not,” London said.
“You should keep an open mind,” Taylor teased. “I’ll bet a place like this would be great for the class reunion you’re planning.”
“Ha ha. You’re so funny,” London deadpanned. She pushed back her chair. “I need to boot-scoot my way to the bathroom.”
“Don’t sneak out the back door,” Samiah said.
“I make no promises,” she called.
Taylor noticed quite a few heads turning as London strutted toward the restrooms. If she was still on the hunt for a random hookup, she’d have no problem finding a list of willing candidates tonight.
She turned back to Jamar and found him grinning at his phone.
“I want to laugh too,” Taylor said.
