Noah’s laugh is strangled and disbelieving. “Esme, sweetheart. You think I’d ever turn away your request to be more romantic? I write the genre, baby. I’m all for inventing new ways to woo you.” He presses his lips together, a firmness flickering across his expression. “If that sorry excuse of a man who cheated on you and left you at the altar ever told you that you demand too much, then he’s the one with an issue. Not you. Esme, you are easy to love. Every laugh, smile, kiss, conversation… Every moment with you is easy. As natural as breathing. Don’t you want that forever? I do. I don’t say those words lightly or without intention, Esme. I haven’t known love in the past because I think God was waiting to bring me to you. So that I could choose you. And that’s how I know what we have won’t fade. Because every day, I’m going to choose it. You. Us.”
My heart pounds hard enough it could be mistaken for an earthquake with the way I’m shaking. He’s saying all the right words, and I think I’m ready to jump to the insane asylum with what I want to say.
But Noah continues. “I know I have so much more to learn about you, so please, take me to school, Miss Prewitt, because I want to learn. I want to do it every day by your side. I want to learn your soul.” He places his hand over my heart. “Your mind.” He moves his hand to cup my face. “And every inch of your body.” He kisses me and mumbles, “There’s no one else for me, Esme. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. Believe me when I tell you that. And I think you feel it, too. Heck,I’ll even take your last name as you suggested on that painting of yours.”
The grandest smile I’ve ever smiled stretches across my face as I make my decision. Unlike Ryan, when I felt uneasy and unsure, I am ready and more confident than I’ve ever been. Noah, I think, brings out the real me. Maybe Island Esme isn’t totally who I am, but I’m also not the woman I was when I first arrived here. Not anymore.
“Yes, Noah Ashley Ashton, I’ll take your last name. But I'm not penciling you in. I’m writing your name down with a Sharpie.”
Chapter Five
Nothing Lasts Forever ~ early July
With every ding of my phone, I experience whiplash from the force of my head snapping to see if it’s Ashton messaging me back. I texted him to confirm our meeting tomorrow, but honestly, I wanted a reason to talk to him as I sit at my desk in my camper and contemplate the ending of this novel.
Bryan:Would we be able to go out for dinner tonight? Just the two of us? I’d like to fill you in on my side of things from our wedding day. - Bryan
My stomach knots.
That is thelastthing I want to do today.
But the person deep inside of me who longs for peace and placidity—and who has never had a long enough conversation with Bryan to find out his side of the broken engagement—whispers to give him a chance to explain.
Especially since I have no strong, hurt emotions over the scenario like he might have.
Me:Yeah, sure. Where should I meet you and at what time?
He doesn’t hesitate to respond.
Bryan:How about Gunnar’s. It’s where we used to always eat when we were dating. 7pm. - Bryan
Me:Sounds like a plan. See you there.
No, my little author. Stay here with me. Make some more coffee and slip into the ratty pajamas you like so much. Let’s write the end of the story. I’ll guide your hands, sweetheart,Noah says, his deep voice a seductive coo.
I snort.As if. I’ve been begging you for a week to tell me the happy ending.
My fictional boyfriend goes silent.
Bryan doesn’t respond, either, and I put my phone back down as I stare at my manuscript, pushing thoughts over how tonight will go far out of my head. The cursor blinks, blinks, blinks as I contemplate three different endings I’ve drafted for my book.
In draft one, Esme gets amnesia on the last day in Bora Bora via a jet ski accident, just like my real experience. Noah stays by her side and helps nurse her back to health as she falls in love with him again.
In draft two, Esme gets amnesia after returning back to Juniper Grove when she’s in a car accident driving to Hartfield to visit Noah. Noah finds her on the side of the road, brings her to his house, and nurses her back to health and she falls in love with him again.
In draft three, I lean into the suspense side of things a little more. The guy who tried to kidnap Esme returns, and while in an altercation with him, Esme is knocked down and hits her headon a rock. Noah knocks the guy out and rescues Esme again, staying with her in the hospital, but when she wakes up, she’s forgotten him. In this version, I think I’d have the two of them stay in Bora Bora to retrace their steps to try and help her get her memory back. I do wonder if this version is a little too dark for a romantic comedy? I guess it’s all in how I choose to write it.
Each results in a happily ever after because readers will riot if my main characters don’t end up together, but something still isn’t sitting right, and I can’t pinpoint the problem.
Noah hasn’t been any help at all.
Hopefully, Ashton can help you when you see him tomorrow,my mind helpfully reminds me, and I swear Noah growls in the recesses of my brain. I grin and get a little heated thinking about a Noah versus Ashton showdown, and that’s when my phone buzzes once more. I’m not as quick to grab it because it could be Bryan, but when I pick it up, Ashton’s name lights up my screen.
Ashton Prewitt:Main Street Coffee again? 10am?
Dinosaurs stomp around in my stomach as I bite my bottom lip.
Me:Unless I’m sick, captured, or dead, I’ll be there!
