We pull into the small cemetery at the edge of town, quiet and peaceful.
I lead him down the familiar path lined with wildflowers. When we reach Grandma and Grandpa’s shared grave, I pause, the wind brushing my cheeks.
Nolan hangs back, giving me space. Always knowing when to stay close and when to let me breathe.
I kneel and press my palm gently to the headstone. “Hey, Grandma. Grandpa,” I whisper. “She’s running again, Grandpa. And she’s beautiful.”
The words tremble out of me, full of grief, joy, love, and everything I’ve carried since they left.
I glance over my shoulder at Nolan, his arms crossed, watching me with that quiet steadiness I’ve come to depend on.
“And I didn’t do it alone,” I tell them softly. “I found someone. Or maybe he found me. You’d like him. He’s kind, even when he pretends not to be, and kind of grumpy.” I smile. “But he’s a marshmallow for me when no one’s looking.”
I press my forehead to the stone. “I love you both. I miss you.”
I stay there for a few minutes, letting the silence hold us.
When I stand, Nolan is already walking toward me. He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side. I rest my head against him and look back at the car gleaming in the sunlight.
“She brought me to you,” I murmur.
He presses a kiss to my temple. “Lucky me.”
I look up at him. “Thank you, Nolan.”
“For what?”
“For believing in her. In me.”
His jaw tics like that hits somewhere he doesn’t let people see. “You made it impossible not to.”
When we finally drive off, the wind in my hair and Nolan’s hand on mine, I swear I hear Grandpa’s laugh in the purr of the engine.
And for the first time in a long time, everything feels exactly where it should be.
The warmth in my chest turns molten.
I slide my hands up his chest, over the muscles beneath his cotton shirt. His hands settle on my hips, steady. Mine slide up to loop behind his neck.
“Sally…” he whispers, brow furrowed.
I cup his cheeks, thumbs brushing his stubble, knowing what he needs, knowing the uncertainties that still plague him now and again. “I’m not going anywhere, Nolan. I’m staying. With you. I choose you. Every minute of every hour of every?—”
His mouth crashes into mine, his tongue delving deep.His hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me in place as he pulls back an inch. “Then I’m done waiting for you to drive away.”
I cling to him, shameless, tasting joy and relief and hunger in every pass of his lips. He lifts me, sets me on the hood, the metal warm beneath me.
He kisses me like life is short and love is loud. And I kiss him like that’s the only truth that matters.
Heat coils slow and familiar as he pulls away, his breath rough as he rests his forehead against mine. “We’ll keep her running. Together.”
I brush my nose against his. “We’re a package deal.”
He kisses me again, sealing the agreement in shared heartbeats.
A cheerful littledingsounds from my phone.
We both groan.
