I'm standing in the airport waiting for my flight, which has been delayed. I dread getting on the plane, but I’m ready to be off the island. I'm so lost in thoughts of the last week that it takes me a moment to realize it's my phone ringing and not one of the other people waiting for the plane.
"Hello?" I ask without checking the caller ID.
"Richards." My Sergeant Major's voice replies.
"Sir."
"I have good news. The request for your transfer has been approved. You’ll be spending the next few years in Bryson City, North Carolina. I hope it's worth it."
I barely hear the details of my transfer. All I can think is that I’ll spend the next two years in the same town as Rylee. I could run into her every day. Hell, I won't deploy for the next two years, and then I’ll retire.
I'm not thrilled to be a recruiter, and it isn't common for someone of my rank. I’ll oversee the recruitment offices in Bryson City, Cherokee, and some of the smaller towns in the area. I applied for this a few weeks ago when I decided to come see Rylee. Even then, I knew a week wouldn't be enough.
Sergeant Major says he’ll email me all the details so I can start making plans, and I end the call.
If I ever needed a sign that I'd made the wrong choice, this is it. I let her dad play on my fears, but I know Rylee. She is it for me, and if I can get her to forgive me for walking away, I’ll never leave her side again.
Grabbing my stuff, I turn around and head back to my hotel. Fortunately, I have enough time to get a new room, get dressed for the wedding, and make my way to the resort. Though I am technically crashing the wedding at this point, I don't care. I have to get back to Rylee.
By the time I get to the venue, the wedding has already started. I sneak in the back and realize they are at the “I Do” part, and my eyes find Rylee instantly. She’s watching the couple, but I can tell even from here how sad she is. Obviously, she’s been up crying all night, and I know it's all my fault.
It guts me that I’m the reason for her tears. I have a lot to make up for, but I’ll have a long time to do so if I'm lucky. As the bride and groom kiss, I sneak out the back and go to the reception area to wait.
I know they’ll do photos, but I also know Rylee will come in here before it fills with people to ensure everything is set up to get the shots she wants. I don't know how much time passes, but I’m right, and Rylee steps in.
This close, she’s even more stunning. Taking a deep breath, I step out of the shadows and watch her as she turns to me. When she sees me, her eyes go wide.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice is so soft, I almost don't hear her.
"I'm here for you. I’m so sorry for last night. I let my fears get to me, and I hurt you. But I got a call while I was at the airport that reminded me this isn't just anyone, it's you and me, and I should have trusted that."
When she doesn't say anything, I take a hesitant step toward her.
"Weeks ago, I decided I was coming here to meet you in person. I wasn’t content with photos anymore. To know you the way I wanted, I needed to touch you, breathe you in, and know what you tasted like. Even then, I was in love with you. So, I put in a transfer request. Though it was a long shot, I had to try for us. I just got the call that it was approved."
"What orders?"
"To Bryson City, overseeing a few recruiting offices in the area. That way, I won't be deployed for the next two years. Then I plan to retire and stay in Bryson City. Even if you can't forgive me, I’m not going anywhere."
I can't read her. But I want to know what she’s thinking, and I need her to know everything.
"Baby girl, I fell in love with you long before this week. When I let people play on my fears instead of trusting in us, I screwed up badly. I know I hurt you, but if you let me have another chance, I promise to trust in what we have and to love you with my whole heart. Because, baby girl, I do. With everything I am, I love you."
I take a few more steps until I’m standing right in front of her. Tears are running down her face, and I don't know if they are happy tears, sad tears, or angry tears. Hoping they are happy tears, I reach out and run my thumb over her cheek and brush a few away. She closes her eyes and leans into me for a brief moment.
"I love you too, Jase. I have for a while." She pauses and looks away.
I want to sweep her into my arms. This amazing girl loves me, but I can tell there is a huge “but” still hanging in the air.
"Are you really moving to Bryson City?" she asks.
"Yes, next month. If you want to start over and take it slow, we can do that, but I plan to see you every day. To spend my free time proving you’re it for me."
She smiles big and leaps into my arms. I'm so shocked, I barely have time to catch her before her lips are on mine, but then she pulls away all too soon.
"I don't want to start over or take it slow. I want to move forward from here, and I don't want to go backward."
"Thank fuck, because neither do I." I crash my lips to hers.
