32. Chapter 32
“I love you, Loren,” I say before kissing her. She responds by running her fingers through my hair and kissing me back.
I kiss her slowly, taking my time. She tastes so sweet. I allow myself to get lost in the moment. I leave her mouth and plant soft kisses on her cheek, her ear, and finally, her neck, knowing perfectly well I’ll have to contend with the rings that guard her heart like an impenetrable steel cage, but when I open my eyes, they’re not there.
“Loren,” I say, “Where are the rings?”
“What?” she asks.
“Where are the rings?”
“I took them off,” she says, looking directly into my eyes.
“When?” I ask. “When did you take them off?”
“Yesterday,” she says, “I visited the Clays, and I let them know I’ve fallen in love. I left the rings in Justin’s bedroom.”
“No more ghosts, then?” I ask.
“No more ghosts,” she says.
Later, when we’re both sitting on the couch discussing the logistics of a long-distance relationship, Loren stops me in mid-sentence and asks, “How did you know I was going to Boston to find you?”
“Adam called me as soon as you left their house. He was relieved when I told him I was already here. Waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me,” she says, smiling, “How long were you willing to wait?”
“I was willing to wait a lifetime.”