Page 36 of Smitty

“A degree is a degree. It doesn’t matter where I get it.”

“You’re really gonna keep arguing with me about this?”

“Looks that way.”

He laughed, low and soft, and the sound warmed my heart all the way to my toes. He had that effect on me. He always had. “You’ve been at it for days.”

“Yeah, but I’ve been making some excellent points.”

“I don’t know.” Brayden leaned against the tailgate of his old pickup and folded his arms across his chest. “You’ve repeated the same point about twelve times now.”

“Because you keep refusing to admit I’m right.”

“Because you’re not.” The corners of his mouth twitched. “You are stubborn, though. Very, very stubborn.”

“I am no such thing.”

“You are, and you’re hard-headed.”

“What?”

“You won’t listen to reason.”

“Because the reason is two hours away!”

“You say that like it’s days instead of a couple of hours.” He reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I can drive two hours day or night. No problem.”

“Every weekend?”

“If I have to.”

“That's four hours in a truck.”

“So… I like driving.”

“You hate driving.”

"I hate traffic. There’s a difference.”

“Gas is expensive.”

“You’re grasping for straws now,” he teased.

“I’m serious. You already work too much. I would hate for you to blow your money on…”

“Coming to see you wouldn’t be blowing my money, Brooke.”

“Doesn’t make it any less expensive.”

“I could sell some feet pics.”

“Bray… This isn’t funny.”

“I know.”

A light breeze stirred through the trees, carrying the smell of fresh-cut grass. We’d driven out to the lake after dinner, and the sun was just beginning to set. My acceptance letter sat folded in my purse, and the corner was poking out, like it was daring me to pick it up.

I was overcome with emotion as I whispered, “I don’t want to leave you.”