“Why would I want to see Brittany again? I don’t love her. Now I know I never loved her. I love you.” Pierce cupped her chin in both of his hands. “I couldn’t find you.”
“In case you’re wondering, I’m leaving,” Noah said. “Feel free to stay here as long as you like. The sheets are clean and there’s some food in the pantry. If the two of you get a little freaky in my cabin, I’ll kill both of you, so keep it R and not triple-X.” He thought about it for a second. “If you go triple-X, just don’t ever tell me about it.” He waved. “Bye.”
He walked right out the front door and closed it.
“I asked Noah to take me someplace where no one could find me. I know it’s terrible, but I can’t face my life right now. My career is trashed, and you wouldn’t talk to me.” She hated that she sounded so pathetic. “I read your letter. I love you too.”
Pierce’s eyes closed like he was savoring her words. “Tell me again.”
“I love you, Jamison Van Card.” She laughed—something that ten minutes ago she’d thought she would never do again.
Slowly his eyes opened, and he stroked her cheekbones with his thumbs. “No one in the history of the universe has ever loved anyone as much as I love you.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “Wow, that’s beautiful. Now I feel like my declaration of love was lame.”
“You love me, that’s all that counts.” He shoved his hand into his breast pocket and pulled out a squished box. “I found these, so now you have to love me forever.”
She glanced down. It was a box of strawberry Pop-Tarts that looked like it had seen better days. She took them. “Where did you find them?”
“Aisle six of the grocery store. I couldn’t find the ones in your house so I bought these.” He kissed her. “No more lies and no more fake. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life waking up beside you. I want to have a bunch of kids so we can take them to the Thinkery and watch the wonder in their eyes. My life started the day I met you. I like the man you make me.” He slid off the sofa and down onto one knee. “Marry me for real this time. I want to belong to you forever.”
She wiped the tears from her face. “Yes, of course, yes, but I have one condition … I want to have at least one Pop-Tart a week.”
He kissed her with everything in him. She felt loved, valued, and cherished. When they came up for air, she said, “You didn’t answer me about the Pop-Tarts.”
He kissed her long and hard until she forgot everything but him.
Sage Advice Page 15
