Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Ace
After dropping Wyatt back home to Hunter, I'm five minutes out from Harper's parents' place, and the cab of the truck has gone quiet in a way that tells me something's sitting heavy on her.
She's going back to LA tomorrow. I wanted her in my bed tonight. I wanted to fall asleep with her tucked against me and wake up to the sound of her singing off-key in my kitchen while she burns toast. But her parents want time with her, and I get that. Maybe I’ll sneak through her window when she goes to sleep so I can cuddle her, like I did in high school.
I'd give anything to spend one more moment with mine. I ain't getting in the way of that.
"You're quiet, Harper," I say, resting my hand on her thigh.
"I'm good, Acey. I'm good."
She almost sounds convincing. Most people would believe it. Not me, though. I know every version of this woman's voice, the real ones and the ones she hides behind.
"You wanna tell me what's wrong? Or am I gonna have to pull over, lock the doors, and find a creative way to get it out of you?"
I glance over at her. Her cheeks flush, and she presses her lips together to fight the smile.
"My mom is going to lose it if I'm late. I've already got to eat a second dinner and pretend like I haven't already eaten." She rubs her belly and groans. "I'm still recovering from the chicken tenders, Ace."
"So tell me. What's made my chatterbox so silent?"
She hums, looking out the window.
"I just don't want to leave town." She stops and takes a breath. "I don't want to leave you, Ace."
Fuck. She's perfect.
Something cracks open in my chest. Every time she gives me something honest like that, it hits me harder than it should. Like I still can't believe she's here. Like I'm still waiting for the part where she realizes she deserves better and walks.
"I know you're coming back this time. It's two nights. We can survive that." I squeeze her thigh. "We did six years no contact, remember?"
She nods, giving me a small smile.
I turn into her parents' drive and crawl the truck up the dirt road. "If you wanna talk to me while you're back there, just call me. I'll always answer. Probably before the first ring dials out."
She giggles, and I brush her hair away from her face, pulling to a stop outside the house. The kitchen light flicks brighter.
I turn to face her and cup her cheeks in both hands. She looks up at me, and I swear this woman could bring me to my knees without lifting a finger.
"I ain't going anywhere, pretty girl. I'll be right here when you come back, waitin' for you. Go do your thing. Keep your boss happy." I lean in, dropping my voice low. "Not too fuckin' happy, though. You're mine, Harper Jones."
The growl comes out on its own, pressed right against her lips.
"I can't wait to see you ride again, Ace," she whispers.
"See? Two nights, and then you get to watch me ride a bull and hope it don't kill me."
She slaps my bicep. Hard. "Don't you dare."
I don't answer. I just kiss her. Fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her deeper, tasting chocolate milkshake and that cherry lip balm she's been reapplying all night. She melts into me, and I want to live inside this single moment until the sun burns out.
Time apart is going to suck.
But I think we won't have to worry about any of this soon. The distance. The back and forth. The countdown clock that starts the second she leaves. Because it's just gonna be me and her against the world again. The way it was always supposed to be.
I pull back. Press my forehead to hers. Her breath is warm against my mouth, her fingers curled into the front of my shirt.
"I love you, Goldie," I whisper.
"I love you, always," she says.
And that's all I need to know to die a happy man. Harper never stopped loving me.
My theory was right.
I'm alive because my soulmate never stopped loving me.
She kisses me one more time, and then she's grabbing her purse and opening the door. Night air rushes in, and I already miss the warmth.
She's halfway up the path when the front door opens, and her mom appears, arms wide. Harper walks straight into them, and I watch her shoulders drop. Watch the tension leave her body.
Her mom looks over Harper's shoulder and catches my eye through the windshield. I nod at her.
I still help her parents out with their ranch when they need it, especially during branding season.
Harper turns at the door and waves. That smile. The one that's just mine.
I wait until the door closes. Until she's inside, I sit in the quiet for a beat, engine ticking, the ghost of her still everywhere.
I pull out and head home. The house'll be too quiet. The bed'll be too empty.
Ah, fuck it. I’m going to sneak back in later. I ain’t doing two nights away from her. One is my limit.