Chapter 38 Easton
EASTON
“Not to be that girl…but what are your intentions with my sister?”
I expected this when I asked Capri to dance. I knew I had a bit of a firing squad coming my way, and I’ve never been more ready to answer the hard questions.
My eyes find my beautiful lost girl on the other side of the dance floor, swaying back and forth with Jones.
I can hear her giggle from here. She looks breathtaking tonight.
Her sage green, floor-length dress is formfitting on her body while her hair rests on her shoulders in beachy waves, those small white flowers I love to count by hand tangled throughout.
It takes major restraint to keep myself from running to her.
“Please. Be that girl,” I insist.
Capri laughs. “I’ve just never seen her like this with anyone. I hope you know how special that makes you.”
Collie has told me that countless times, but fuck, it feels good to hear from the person who knows her better than anyone. “If I’m being honest, I’m right there with her. I assume she told you about my situation? Losing my brother and almost marrying his fiancé?”
“She did.” There’s no judgment in her voice, and I respect that.
“Not gonna lie, at first it freaked me out. Not the part about you losing your brother. I’m so sorry for your loss, by the way.
” I nod my appreciation. “But the marriage part was my main concern. But the way Collie explained everything…it made perfect sense. Actually, I think you and I are very similar. That’s something I feel like I would have done for Collie in a heartbeat without even questioning whether it’s the right choice or not. ”
“I definitely have moments where I question what I was thinking. Ben, my brother, and I grew up with Sydney. She was our best friend. So, it felt like the only option at the time. I think I was trying to navigate her grief along with my own and was in too deep when it was too late. Or at least I thought.”
I see the understanding in her eyes. Blue eyes that look almost identical to Collie’s. “And you think you’re ready to be with Collie? Even after everything?”
“If there’s anything I’m sure of, it’s how I feel about your sister.
She’s fucking crazy, and wild, and passionate…
she challenges me. But she also loves so damn big.
I never stood a chance of not falling for her.
The two months we stayed in contact while apart only solidified those feelings for me.
Our friendship deepened, and we needed that. ”
Capri smiles wide, and I’m glad my girl has a sister who cares so strongly for her. The bond they have is rare, reminding me a lot of the bond Ben and I had as brothers.
Fuck. I miss him. I’d give anything to hear him rattle on about how ridiculous I look in this suit right now.
“I really love that for you two, Easton. Just promise me you’ll always take care of her. She’s selfless and forgets about herself. She’s also tragically messy and shops a lot. But she will never skip a meal, so she’s at least got that goin’ for her.”
“That’s my girl,” I joke. “We have more in common than not. She won’t go without my care. You have my word.” A pause settles between us, and I decide right now I’m going to tell Capri my intention beyond this weekend. “I’m planning on moving to Timber Heights.”
Her mouth drops open in shock. “Wait, really? Can’t say I was expecting that.”
I nod, a smile ghosting my face just thinking of the future to come. “I can find work anywhere in the country. Actually, I already had my general foreman make a call to South Carolina Power and put in a good word for me. I obviously need to make sure Collie wants me here first.”
She cocks her head as if that’s even a question. “Look at that girl. Do you honestly think she doesn’t? My big sister is smitten.”
I search for Collie on the dance floor, finding her pretty blues already on me. She blows me a kiss behind Jones’ back, and my eyes close softly, feeling overwhelmingly taken aback by my love for her.
“She adores you, Easton.”
I know she does. I feel it.
“I want you to know I’m in no rush, Capri.
I’m not going to ask for your blessing yet, but please know I will be when the time comes.
You and Mr. Meadows. I want us to take our time together.
Learn everything there is to know about being in love.
True and genuine love. Even the love that requires sacrifices.
We’ve got our whole lives for marriage. Besides, our girl has a fitness studio to run. ”
“I admire that. It’s comforting to be another world away, knowing she has someone in her life who has her best interest at heart. After everything her boss put her through, Collie deserves a win.”
“And I’m gonna help her make that happen.”
Capri pulls me into a tight squeeze before releasing me. “Let’s go find the lucky fuckers.”
My laughter sneaks up on me. I was waiting to see a bit of Collie pull through Capri.
There it is.
“I must say, Mr. Voss, you look quite dapper in that suit. Navy blue is very much your color.”
I’ve spent all day being polite and carrying on conversations with Collie’s family, but right now, all I want is her lips on mine.
“Can I kiss you, Collie?”
Her face lifts as I hold her close. I tuck her blonde locks behind her ear and use one hand to cup the side of her perfect face. “Joy Of My Life” by Chris Stapleton plays softly from the speakers, the last song of the night, and it couldn’t be more perfect for this moment between us.
She is the infinite joy of my life.
“Gimme those lips, Ranger.” My mouth links with hers in seconds, our souls syncing for the world to see. This connection right here is worth every tribulation I’ve ever faced.
We don’t make a show of it, just kiss each other with the softest passion. The world stops when we touch. When we let our bodies express what words struggle to articulate.
Collie pulls back, eyes fluttering open to peer into mine. “Did you ever tell them how great a kisser I was?”
I smile big, placing one soft kiss on the tip of her nose. “Only so many times they asked to test you out for themselves. Pieces of shit,” I groan.
Her head falls back in laughter, and I want so badly to kiss up the length of her neck. “I bet you loved that, huh?”
“Had to teach my boy Suede a lesson about keeping his lips away from my girl.”
“I want to meet your friends.”
“You will. They want to meet you. So do my parents. And Sydney. And Palmer,” I murmur at the top of her head, her cheek resting at the center of my chest as we dance. “We’ve got time, baby.”
“You leave in two days.”
I know she’s anxious, and I hope to do everything I can to ease her worries. I’ll make it my life’s mission. “Just trust me, okay?”
“Okay.”