Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
My stomach dipped. “You’re trying to get me back?”
“Well, first, I tried to build that time machine, but that didn’t work.” His smile stretched, and his eyes twinkled. “Yeah, I’m trying to get you back.”
God, how I’d waited to hear those words from him. Though they weren’t exactly accurate.
“You can’t get me back.”
His smile fell. “Thea, please.”
“I never really went anywhere.”
His shoulders curled forward with defeat, and he hooked his arm around the tree for balance when the wind picked up. “I’m not sure that makes me feel better or worse.”
“Worse. It should definitely make you feel worse. But it is what it is. You really messed up, Ramsey. You broke my heart every day for twelve years.”
“I know. I know. But I swear to God I thought I was doing the right thing. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. And as I sat in jail in a set of cuffs and shackles, waiting to be transported to the prison, I knew the only thing I’d ever be able to give you was misery. I was terrified you were going to waste your life waiting for me. And guess what? I was right.”
I shook my head. My father had been so right about him having more heart than brains. “You were wrong, Ramsey. Yes, I waited on you. But I didn’t waste a single minute. I started my business so that we could afford the life we’d always dreamed of. I traveled to countries you’d never be able to visit. I built a relationship with my father again. I found a sister, who I am currently not speaking to and possibly won’t for the next twelve years—or at the very least, twelve days. But we had some really great years. I discovered that I like going to the movies alone because I don’t have to share the popcorn. I realize that I don’t have to feel uncomfortable in heels and skirts. I made friends with women I used to make fun of. And yes, you are right—through it all, I was in love with a stupid, stupid boy. But I did not waste my life while I was doing it.”
“Thea,” he breathed, the apology crinkling his forehead.
I used the binder to shield the sun from my eyes and stared up at him. “Are we going to do this, Ramsey? I mean, really fucking do this? No more of your panic attacks where you tell me I deserve better or that you can’t do this? I mean, life starts today, right now. I’ve spent twelve years choosing you. But dammit, this time, you have to choose me.”
He shoved out of that tree so fast I didn’t have the chance to move out of the way. Just like the day we’d met, he landed hard and bounced toward me.
Thankfully, when he crashed into me, he spun us so he hit the ground first, leaving my leg blissfully intact.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I choose you. I choose you, Thea. I choose us. I promise. I have absolutely nothing to offer you but headaches and stress, but if you keep me, I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life providing you with love and Tylenol.”
I smiled, his warmth blanketing me in a cocoon of security, the rest of the world fading away. Brushing his perfectly styled hair off his forehead, I mumbled, “Jeez, look who’s desperate now.”
He barked a laugh, but it did nothing to dissipate his panic. “Me. I am absolutely the desperate one. When I read through those letters, I felt so lost, remembering how amazing we were together. I want our life back too.”
Lifting my head, I brushed my lips across his. “Sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned in order to live the one you’re given. Things are going to be different, Ramsey. But different doesn’t have to be bad. We have a lot of stuff to work out. A lot of hurt to work through. But if you’re willing to take it slow and be patient while we do it together, I’m never going to tell you no.”
He dipped and pressed his closed mouth to mine as he inhaled reverently. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Sparrow.”
“Then you should probably start by giving me a proper kiss, because when I get up from here, I’m going to yell at you a lot for almost breaking my leg again. Then I’m going to yell at you a lot for going to prison. And then I’m going to yell at you a lot for lying to me. But then, after I’m all yelled out, I might let you see my boobs again.”
A Ramsey Stewart special appeared and it felt like he was fanning the fire in my soul that had only ever burned for him.