Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“Don’t say anything to either of them.”
“No, I would never, but how do you know this?” I asked.
“I asked him about his future with Michelle, and he said he wasn’t sure about it. He knew he wasn’t ready to make a commitment like we had made, and he was worried about meeting someone in college.”
My mouth fell open. “How could he even be thinking like that? They’ve been dating for two years! Michelle loves him. I mean, she’s never mentioned marriage, but I know she is in it for the long haul. She only picked to go to UT because Mitch had gotten a scholarship there and asked her to come there with him.”
Wyatt looked like he was about to be sick. “He asked her to go to UT?”
“Yes! Michelle had gotten into Harvard Law School! She turned it down to be with Mitch.”
Closing his eyes, Wyatt mumbled, “Oh, Mitch.”
I quickly stood up and looked down at him. “Wyatt, why would Mitch all of a sudden be feeling like this? What could possibly make him start thinking this way?”
Jumping up, he pulled me into my arms. “I didn’t mean to make you upset, and for all we know, everything will be fine. Let’s not worry about Mitch and Michelle. Pretend like I never brought it up. Let’s talk about Italy.”
My chest ached. I knew the answer to my question without even needing Wyatt to explain it to me.
Michelle was Mitch’s first. She had to have said something about me and Wyatt getting engaged, and it’d spooked Mitch. Now, he was doubting his future with her.
Wyatt placed his finger under my chin and pulled my eyes up to his.
“Hey, let’s not worry about them. I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“No, I’m glad you did. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything to Michelle.”
Leaning down, he brushed his lips across mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.
This time tomorrow, we would be sitting in first-class, flying over to Italy. I’d splurged and bought two first-class tickets as my surprise to Wyatt. I couldn’t wait to see his face when I told him.
We spent the next hour talking about all the things we wanted to do during the two weeks we would be in Italy. I had to reach up and pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. This just all seemed so crazy yet so real.
I wasn’t sure how long we sat there and looked out over the park and river. Forever, it seemed.
“We should probably head back to your house.”
I stood and brushed off my jeans. “Your parents can still drive us, right?”
He nodded. “Yep.”
“Y’all are picking me up at eleven, right?”
Wyatt chuckled. “Yes. Stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine. Better than fine. It’s going to be perfect.”
I nodded and reached up on my toes. “Thank you for giving me this trip.”
Rubbing his nose against mine, he replied, “Thank you for giving me your love.”
***
Three Months Later—September
I sat in the bleachers and watched the football team practice. Wyatt had been working his ass off all summer to get ready for college football. The only time he had taken off from working out was when we were in Italy for two weeks. We had done enough walking, bike-riding, and lovemaking to make up for his strict workout schedule. Of course we’d also done enough eating. We had done a lot of eating.
My phone buzzed, and I lifted it to see it was Michelle.
Michelle: Hey, girl. How is it going?
Me: Going good. Watching the team practice. What about you?
Michelle: Doing good. Just dropped Mitch off at the stadium and headed to the library.
I glanced up and scanned for number 17. When I saw him, I couldn’t help but smile. Since that day at the river, neither one of us had brought up Mitch and Michelle. As far as I could tell, things were fine with them.
Me: How is Mitch liking everything?
Michelle: He loves it. He is super busy, but he always makes time for me, which I think is so sweet.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he had gotten over his little commitment issue.
Me: Give him a kiss for me. Speaking of, sex still hot and heavy?
Ugh. I couldn’t believe I’d asked, but if she answered yes, then I’d really know I had nothing to worry about.
Michelle: Ha-ha! Yes. Matter of fact, I’d say your brother has kicked it up a notch or two.
Rolling my eyes, I gagged.
Me: So done talking about this. Practice is over. I’ll chat with you soon! Miss and love you!
Michelle: Miss and love you back.
I sat on the bleachers and read while I waited for Wyatt to shower up and come out. I didn’t often come to his practices, but I always showed up for at least one during the week.