The Right Thing Easy
Page 26
Unsure, I stopped a few steps short of Hope, hands tucked in my back pockets. I looked at Gabe thinking I could get a read of the situation from him and was surprised when Hope stepped forward, slipped her hands along both sides of my head, her thumbs skimming my jawline and fingers meeting behind my head.
Her lips met mine. In front of Gabe and most of my class, her warm wet lips touched down. Her body followed her lips, sealing against mine, thigh to thigh, breast to breast as she teased my lips with her tongue.
I started to react to deepen the kiss and then heard the eruption of woots from my students. Embarrassed, I started to pull away, eyes down but Hope kept an arm around me, not letting me go.
“Guess Prof does know what she’s talking about when it comes to picking up chicks,” Black hollered.
I shot him a look that shut him up and got all of my students scuttling to their trucks, all eyes still on the two of us. With his signature tip of his straw hat, Gabe ducked out too, adding a wink. Halley lingered the longest with a big smile, giving a vague “see you later” that I felt was directed at me as much as her sister.
The parking lot bare, I turned to Hope, confused.
She motioned to where Candy’s truck had been parked, and I could see her take a deep breath. “She’s not the future you want?”
I slowly shook my head. “Turns out Chummy’s the one I really missed.”
She rewarded me with her brilliant smile, her eyes dancing. “We could get a puppy.”
“We could?” I asked.
“Whatever you want, I want because I want you. With my heart, my soul, mind and body, I love you.” She reached for my hand. “I know it’s not going to be easy, and I know that I worry you sometimes because you’re not sure I’m in for the long haul, but I choose you. Every day I choose you. I’m sure doubt or fear will rear its ugly head once in a while, but you are important to me. You are the most important to me and always will be.”
“People will know, especially after that kiss,” I said.
“My dad knows.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Since when?”
“He spoke in church today. I went, and I talked to him afterward.”
“How’d that go?” I asked, crossing my fingers.
“You’re expected at family dinner tonight.” She reached for my hand.
I gripped her fingers tightly. “Halley will be there too, right?” I felt like I could use an ally.
“And Harrison, Hyrum and their families,” she said, a tentative smile blossoming on her face.
“No pressure,” I said, a wave of nervousness rushing through me.
She pressed her body to mine again. “If your awards are genuine, I think you do pretty well under pressure.”
I smiled and kissed her. “I love you too,” I said, my heart leaping from the gate without hesitation. I’d spent a career racing around three barrels to beat the clock. Surely, I could garner the approval of the three important men in her life. The soundtrack in my head shifted to songs of new life and possibility, and I hummed along.
Bella Books, Inc.
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Phone: 800-729-4992
www.bellabooks.com