“You’re welcome to borrow my books anytime. After all, you’re the one who inspired me to love the writtenword.”
“Me?”
Kevin retrieved the wrapped book and stood analyzing it in his hands for a moment. His jaw tensed then released. “A long time ago, I bought this planning on giving it to you after school, but Ididn’t.”
“Whynot?”
He let out a long breath. “Because I wasn’t ready. I’d planned on going away for my scholarship to Auburn, and you were off to Emory on an academic scholarship. Our paths were headed in separate directions, and I wasn’t sure we were ever meant to crossagain.”
I eyed the gold-wrapped book, curious to know what it was but nervous to find out. “Andnow?”
“After what happened with Joe, I realized that achieving my goals was less important than living my life. Don’t get me wrong, I'm still a driven man, it’s just in a new direction. Family, friends, and loved ones come before being the star of agame.”
“Do you miss it?” Despite what he’d said about life being more important than football, I still held my breath, waiting for him to tell me he’d return to the game at his old university, leaving Magnolia Corners farbehind.
“Believe it or not, I don’t. Catching the winning ball in the end zone felt nothing like the day I saw Joe manage to get out of his wheelchair, down on one knee, and hold a ring up to Kaley. That was the day I saw what truly mattered.” He handed me the wrappedbook.
I took it with shaking hands, watching the muscles in his neck stiffen. With one finger, I broke the old tape that was barely clinging to the paper anymore. Inside I foundPride and Prejudice. I opened the cover and found an inscription written in Kevin’s sloppyscript.
Thank you for being my Elizabeth Bennet and showing me there was more to life than football and parties. You’ve opened my eyes, and I hope I never close themagain.
His fingertips whispered across my knuckles, leaving a delicious chill behind. “I didn’t ask you to tutor me for academic reasons. I did it because you were tutoring my heart. Each time I left one of our sessions, I felt lighter, open to possibilities. Over the last three years, each time I had to face something challenging, I would escape into one of theseclassics.”
My pulse quickened. I stared at the squiggly writing. It wasn’t poetic, but it was profound. “I did that foryou?”
“Yes,” hewhispered.
I closed the cover and held it to my chest. “I have a confession to make.” After a deep breath, I faced the man who changed me so long ago. “I only went away to college because you taught me how to be brave. You were the one who told me I deserved better and that if I believed in myself, nothing would stop me. And nothinghas.”
“It sounds like we both learned a lot more than we had intended during high school.” He closed the gap between us. Looking down at me, he slid his thumb over my cheek. “You’re so beautiful, both inside andout.”
My gaze traveled from his silver eyes to his lips. “I told you to stop calling methat.”
He tipped my chin up, and my breath caught in my chest. “I’m only telling you the truth. Sharing. That’s what you wanted,right?”
“I…I…”
He leaned in, and I thought I would lose my mind at his closeness. “Thank you.” His lips brushed my cheek. Heat spread across my skin and surged deep into mysoul.
