Page 67 of Carson

She practically runs to slide in beside me. When I wrap my arm around her and pull her close, she lets out a couple of shaky breaths. The kind you let go of after a good cry.

I was hoping she would give me her answer before we left this place. I want to land back on solid ground in the United States committed to her, and she to me.

She rests her head on my arm and stares into my eyes. “I choose you, Carson.”

Every cell in my body is doing cartwheels. Not that I doubted she would be mine. I’ve felt it in my soul ever since placing my hand on the door of her closet that day. Luna does to me what the moon does to the earth. Her gravity refuses to let me go.

She doesn’t see it clearly yet, because she’s scared.

I don’t think Luna ever planned on falling in love after her anchor, her mother, passed. She thought she was destined for a life floating around this planet all on her own.

There are things we need to face, but she won’t have to do it alone. She’ll have me and my family.

There is a whole world waiting for her back home.

“And I choose you, Luna.”

Her eyes shine with unshed tears, and she doesn’t hide the fear in them.

“What a ride we’re about to have,” I whisper, offering a smile.

“Speaking of rides, will you give me one on your bike when we get back?”

And there is the Luna I’m falling deeper in love with each day. She’s strong. She’s resilient. She’s a Rebel Skull in disguise. Much like my father describes my mother when he talks about the beginnings of their relationship.

“First thing.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I hope you do.”

She studies my face. “I’m not going to lie. I’m scared. I don’t know if …” her words fall off.

“Luna, we don’t have to have all the answers. Life will unfold them for us.”

She places her hand over my bare chest as she thinks about it, and I don’t know if she realizes how far she really is in this. We’re in bed together. Clothed, yes, but minimally. And her hand is on my skin.

I take mine and place it over hers.

“I want to be with you,” she whispers.

“I know, and I’m confident it will happen. When the time is right, for both of us. I’m in no hurry. There is no pressure. I want to be the one thing in this world that doesn’t put demands on you.”

Tears begin to roll from her eyes, and I wipe them away gently.

“How did I get so lucky to find a man like you?”

“Ah, that’s easy. You know that dragonfly hanging from your rearview mirror?”

“Yes.” Her brows pull together in curiosity as to where I’m going with this.

“There’s your answer.”

She laughs lightly. “What does a dragonfly have to do with it?”

“Well, my mother always told me that dragonflies have two sets of wings to carry angels on their backs. She told me someday one would bring me mine. It’s been guiding you this entire time, you just didn’t know it.”

“It came with the van,” she says bluntly, and I burst out laughing.