Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(14)

at night?” Her hands are planted firmly on her hips. She’s traded the dress in for worn jeans and boots, and her hair’s back in

a ponytail; gorgeous.

“Yes, Ma’am.” I take her hand and lead her down to where the boat is banked, helping her in. “Wait here, I’ll run back up and

grab our stuff.”

I turn back once, taking her in, sitting there sweetly with her hands in her lap, the slight ripples in the moonlight water the

backdrop. I speed up my steps, wanting to get back to her.

Once I’m boarded, I turn around and hold out the lifejacket to her. “I wouldn’t want you to fall in and drown if you hook a big

one.” I give her a devious wink.

Her eyes shoot up and she makes to shoot off a smart retort, but then I see the realization take over and her face calms. She’s on

to me, but says nothing.

“Say, Laney...” I’ve started slowly trolling us towards our favorite cove and glance over my shoulder, “You do know how to bait

your own hook, right?”

She doesn’t answer, so I turn all the way around to face her, half-expecting her to smack me, but what I see is unnerving...Laney

’s got silent tears falling down her cheeks.

I scoot quickly toward her, stopping on my knees in front of her. “What is it, baby girl?” I brush the tears away with my

fingers.

She’s barely even whispering. “It’s just...you’re just...” She stops, more tears falling.

“Tell me.”

“This. Us...since...well, since ever. And after this summer, who knows.”

I can hardly hear her now, but I’m hanging on every word for dear life.

“I don’t know how...I don’t want...” And then she looks up, right into my soul, as she finishes. “I don’t want to be without

you.”

I’ve done it. I know exactly how to reach my girl. I’ve made her realize what we are, that we have always been together and

always should be.

All of the air leaves my lungs in slow relief, years of want and wonder weighing on me gone in an instant. I move slowly up to take

her in my arms. “You never have to be without me, Laney, never. All I want is you; all I’ve ever wanted is you.” I cup her face

in my hands and take a deep breath. I’m shaking; I’ve waited so long.

“Laney, I love you.”

She lifts her head and looks dreamily into my eyes, a sweet smile pulling at her mouth. “I love you, too, Evan.”

It’s the best thing I’ve ever heard and my heart swells in my chest. I love her more than any man has ever loved a woman, I’m

sure of it. I’ve loved her since the first time her little tomboy ass smarted off to me, when she was all dirt and elbows. And

now, she’s a goddess.

I kiss her then, telling her in it everything I want to say. She opens her mouth and lets me in, brushing her tongue slowly along

the length of mine. Her lips are soft and sweet, a taste all her own that I’ll crave until my dying day.

When she runs her hands up my arms, into my hair, I growl into her mouth; I can’t stop it. God, what this girl does to me; and she

doesn’t want to be without me!

Best. Night. Ever.

When she pulls back slightly, despite every instinct in my body, I let her. I can’t push her; I’ve already led her into a dark

cove, on prom night. Good Lord, she’s probably wigging out right now! Ok, damage control.

”You ready to head home?” Please say no. Please say no. “Did you bring a blanket?” “Yes.”

“Hot cocoa?” “Yes.”

“Then I’m good.” God, I love my girl.





Chapter Eight


––––––––

LET’S GET REAL

––––––––

Laney

––––––––

Evan and I graduated high school side by side, so excited about the future, together, but...well, I guess things really do get more

difficult the older you get. College no longer sounds like “the time of my life” anymore. We finally had to face reality. My

letter from the University of Georgia didn’t come.

I’ll be going to Southern, less than an hour from home, but I’ll live there in the dorm, which is co-ed and scary as hell. Evan

is, of course, headed to Athens, about five hours from home; five hours from me.

The “new adventures” Kait keeps gushing about seem more like huge, cold hands wrapped around my throat. I don’t want to be apart

from my dad, Evan, or Kaitlyn. I don’t want things to change.

Oh, grow up, Laney! Yes, I’ve resorted to mentally chastising my own pity parties.

“Ladybug, you hear me?” “Huh?”

“Where you at, pretty girl?”

I completely zoned out and missed everything Evan just said. “Sorry, you know I have to worry about things months before they

happen.”

“What’s got you worried?” he asks, frowning. “Things to come, change, my dad being all alone...”

I sigh. Should I go on? “I don’t want us to grow apart, Evan. I’m going to miss you so much.”