Page 154 of Even Ground
He leans over and pecks my cheek. “Let us know if you ever need anything. We’ll all miss you.”
“Never thought I’d hear that from your lips, Josh Carter.”
He chuckles. “You’re pretty fun to be around when you’re not glaring at me.” He looks at Reece. “We’ll wait outside for you.”
I turn to Reece as he nods. “Thanks.”
“Bye, Pania.” Melly waves to me as they walk away, and I bite my bottom lip so hard, the taste of copper floods my mouth.
Reece pulls me into his arms, and I let out a long breath against his chest.
“I’ll miss you like crazy,” I say.
“Not as much as I’ll miss you.”
I take a deep breath of his freshly laundered shirt. “It’s not a competition.”
Looking up into his face, I catch my breath at just how handsome he is. And he’s mine. All mine.
“We’ll talk every day.”
I sigh. “I’m not going to hold you to that. I know you’ll be working, and I know Josh told Delaney that and couldn’t always do it.”
He straightens up. “Well, I’m not Josh.”
“I know that.” I laugh. “But I’m just saying I don’t expect unrealistic promises. Just keep loving me, and I’ll love you, and we’ll work it all out in the end.”
He tilts his head, and his lips curl into a smile. “I know we will.”
“I should go.”
Reece kisses me, long and deep and lingering on my lips afterward. I know how hard this is for him. It’s tearing me apart inside. But I have to be strong. I owe it to myself.
“Go before I drag you back out of here.”
I laugh and turn away.
“Pania. Wait.”
Reece grabs hold of my hand, pulling me back to him and looking at me with those beautiful crystal blue eyes.
I smile.
“Do you think I should grow a beard? I mean the stubble is sexy if I say so myself, and I think …”
I roll my eyes and kiss him on the nose. “I think you should do whatever you want. It’s your face, and I won’t be here for when it’s really scratchy if you decide to.”
“But will you like it?”
I clamp my lips together for a moment, trying not to laugh. So many times I’ve seen Melly use this delaying tactic to stay up later. Now my twenty-seven year old boyfriend is doing the same thing.
“I’ll love whatever you do, Reece. Just be you.”
He runs his thumb along my knuckles. “Are you sure?”
“You’ll do for me. Beard or no beard.” I press a kiss to his cheek. “I have to go so I don’t miss my plane.”
“Maybe I want you to.”