Page 98 of Gravity

She inhales. “He knew?”

“He did. And he was happy for us. And I’m only telling you this because I hope it can give you some kind of comfort. So, all those times we were together, he knew why you had a smile on your face, why we both did.”

“That makes me want to cry and burst with happiness all at once because even though I never got to hear him say it, I know that I, we had his blessing.”

“We did.”

The corners of her mouth tug a fraction. “Secretly playing match maker. The little devil.”

I smile. “He clearly saw in us what we feel for each other, and I will do everything within my power to make you happy—to take care of you for as long as you want me in your heart. You understand that, right?”

She nods, another tear falling. “I don’t deserve you after how I’ve behaved, either. I’ve let you down when you’ve been suffering, too.”

She can’t be serious?

Gripping her jaw, I make her look at me and I force my words out with conviction, her belief that she’s done wrong hitting me hard. “You have not and will never let me down. You hear me? Never think that.”

She nods, and this time her words that break out through her tears are laced with so much pain. “My heart just hurts so much, Grayson. I don’t think I’m strong enough to get through this.”

Tears sting my eyes at the thought of her riddled with so much heartache. “Nora, listen to me. You can do this. It won’t be easy, and some days will be harder than others. But you can do this. You are stronger than you know. You are braver than you give yourself credit for. And on the days should you fall, I will be right beside you holding you up.” I kiss her lips tenderly.

“You’d do that for me? No matter how long it takes?”

I’d give her the world.

I’d do anything because of how much love I have for her.

Resting my forehead against hers, I sniff back my tears and give her my heart. “I would move heaven and earth for you, Nora. I promise you with every part of me, I will catch you should you fall.”

“Always?”

“And forever.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Grayson

My palms are sweaty, my body is shaking, and my heart is aching to the point I can’t breathe.

Today is the day that I don’t want to be real.

Today is the day that makes it final.

Today is the day that I will never forget, and the day my girl will remember forever.

She’s lived through those times when her daddy went to war. She’s lived through those long days and even longer nights, wondering if he’d been safe. I’ve witnessed her anxiety when there would be a knock at the door, wondering if she’d hear those words telling her he was not returning home—the times she’d sat by the window, waiting for him to walk up the drive after his time overseas. I’ve seen it all.

And now it is final.

He’s gone.

“You look, beautiful,” I whisper to her as our eyes connect in the full-length mirror. She stands in a short, black lace dress that is both elegant and smart, a black ribbon band around the waist. Her makeup is light and her hair that is braided falls over one shoulder.

She hadn’t slept all night; she’d just waited until her mom had gone to bed before she stepped into the spare room where I was and curled up beside me. I’ve been staying at the Nelsons’ as much as I can—regardless of my place right next door. Truth is, I couldn’t leave her. As the week has gone on, I’ve seen her deteriorate and fall into a dark world of mourning. Fiona has witnessed it, too, and I can’t help but think Asher also has a lot to do with this. After our conversation the other day, she’s not spoken of him since—not tried to call him, not asked if I have any news, nothing—but her tears for her father have become more frequent.

The distress in Fiona’s features when it comes to her son has been hard to witness, too. I told her everything, and unlike when I’d told Nora, I was met with silence. She’d listened as I explained, and when I was done, she’d smiled, kissed my cheek, and thanked me for everything I’ve done for her family.

I’d been both honored and bewildered. Neither of my feelings in response to her reaction had felt right, and I’d waited for the backlash of keeping something like that from her. But it never came.