“Nope,” Jonathan says, sitting on top of Collin, surprising us both into laughter.
Icannot believe you have your own balcony,” Jonathan says, resting his chin on my head.
I cuddle up on his lap, soaking in his warmth.“I cannot believe we’re still awake.”
“We can’t go to sleep now.It’s nearly sunrise.”
“Who knew you were such a romantic?”I tease.
“You didn’t?”He almost sounds sad.
I tip my head back and stare at him.
“Iam,” he states emphatically.I nod, placating him.He mocks offense.I kiss his jaw and snuggle back into him.He squeezes me against him.
The sun’s rising.”The low rumble of his voice reverberates in my ear.
I blink awake, not remembering nodding off.I sit upright, kiss his neck and rest my head against his.He’s fixated on the sun splashing sherbet colors across the surface of the lake.“It’s pretty.”
“I want to make a promise to you,” he says, still looking at the horizon.I twist so I can take in his gorgeous features.I run a hand along the hard lines of his jaw and into the waves of his dark hair.His eyes find mine.And I swear I can see the rising flames reflected in their darkness.
“I promise to never hurt you.To always protect you.And to be the person you can talk to abouteverything.”His smile mirrors mine.“I love you, Sadie.”
“I love you too.”
Before I can kiss him, he shifts, and in his palm is a ring.It’s a smaller version of a Ring Pop, the stone suspended in a silver band.But the stone itself is the liquid color of candy.
I pick it up and examine it.“Can I eat it?”
He laughs.“It’s your birthstone.”
I look at him curiously.“My birthstone is an opal.”
“Also pink tourmaline,” he says.“I hope I’m saying that right.”
I inspect the gem, light pink fading into green.
“The woman who helped me pick it out said it’s watermelon tourmaline.”
I grin wildly.“Like my favorite Ring Pop.”
He nods.“It’s meant to protect your heart.”
I stare at him, my eyes instantly flooding with tears.
“Every time you look at that ring, I want you to remember that I promise to protect your heart.”
I throw my arms around his neck, and the tears start flowing.I can’t help it.“I love you so much.”
I slide the ring on the ring finger of my right hand and stare at it over his shoulder.I take his face in my hands and smother him with kisses.Sweet and sloppy.Until he steadies me and kisses me slow and not sweet at all.
He lifts me in his arms and carries me into the room.To bed.As the sun sparkles across the lake behind us.
Chapter Forty-Two
Of course you can have another berry.There’s plenty for everyone.”
A tiny plate, edged in pink roses, sits on a worn tree stump.I drop two red berries onto it.
