“What about all the girls in the towns you stop in? They’ll be all over you. I watched soldier movies.”
I laugh. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
She flushes.
“No girl could ever be you.”
I tip her chin up and kiss her lips. “Now go to sleep, my Bella.”
She smiles then and walks into her house.
* * *
The factthat I have not seen her in four years has not changed the way I feel about her.
She’s still here; that should mean something. And fuck is she gorgeous. The moonlight illuminating her features, her hair like silver.
Fuck, who am I kidding? I drop my bag make my way back downstairs. Yes, I am here for my folks, but that girl right there is the biggest reason. She is every reason.
I slowly open the door and take the short walk over to her house. I pick up a few pebbles, hoping she’s still awake. This was our thing growing up.
She couldn’t go to sleep thinking I hadn’t missed her or thought about her every second I was away.
After nearly dying, I realized quickly how precious time was, that every second counted.
