I let out a slow breath, my chest tight in the best way beneath Isaac’s cheek. “‘For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.’”
Isaac’s sigh is soft. “Emerson.”
“Mhm. It’ll all work out, Red.”
He looks up at me. I’m not sure he believes the words, but I do. More so with him here in my arms, willingly and rather forcefully.
I want my degree, yes. I want to finish out this semester with the credits I’m due and walk across the stage to collect my diploma.
But if I don’t?
I’ll still walk on. And I’m fairly certain I’ll have this man walking with me.
“Tell me something honest,” Isaac says, not yet stepping away.
I run my fingers through the hair at his temple, both soft and stubbornly determined to stay put, like Isaac himself. “Did you know some plant species need fire in order togrow?”
Isaac nods slowly, looking curious. “I think I’ve heard that before. Why?”
I pass my thumb over a freckle above Isaac’s lip. Another at the edge of his jaw. “In a forest full of ash, I would find myself cracked open, sunlight spilling across my skin. I would know, at long last, my birth.”
Isaac doesn’t say anything for the longest time, his hand at my side rolling my shirt between his finger and thumb. “I guess you can do nature-related poetry after all, huh?”
My chuckle ruffles Isaac’s hair. I make to step back, knowing he has another class soon, but Isaac doesn’t let go.
“I’m starting to think I need you, too,” he says, voice small. “And that scares me.”
“Then we can be scared together.”
“You don’t seem scared.”
I close my eyes, my face pressed to Isaac’s hair. “I’m scared shitless, Red. There’s a lot I could stand to lose. Not this.”
I’m not surprised when Isaac resorts to sarcasm, the humor in his tone intended to disguise the wobble. “It’s because I’m so warm and cheery, right?”
“It’s because you’re you.”
He doesn’t combat that, but his inhale is proof enough he heard my words.
I could lose my degree. The final validation of all I’ve been striving towards these past six years. I could miss my chance to walk the stage. To frame a piece of paper that would tell others of my merit.
I could lose all of that and be fine.
But I’m realizing I’m not prepared in the least to step away from this man.
I pray I never have to.
Chapter 19
Isaac
“Remind me again why you need to do thathere?”
Lumi pauses in applying her eyeliner to shoot me a look. “Babe. I know you’re not into wearing makeup. A shame, really, considering your bone structure. But surely you’re aware I don’t actually wake up like this?”
I blink as she adjusts her mirror, the light hitting my eyes square on. “That doesn’t explain why you’re here instead of…oh, I don’t know…at your own dorm where you live?”
Lumi sighs. “Does he need me to explain it?”
