Chapter 39 The End of The Year #2
When he sets me down, he's grinning. "You're sure? Because once you commit, my mom is going to put you to work. She'll have you helping with her garden and organizing the garage and—"
"I'm sure." I cup his face. "I love you. I want this."
"I love you too."
The pizza arrives, and we eat it sitting on his kitchen floor because we're too happy and too tired to move to the table.
We make lists of things we want to do over the summer—hiking, beach days, teaching me to cook something besides toast. We talk about the future in vague, exciting terms that make everything feel possible.
Later, when we're in bed and Cole is half-asleep, he pulls me closer.
"Thank you," he murmurs.
"For what?"
"For saying yes."
I press a kiss to his shoulder. "Thank you for asking."
The next week is a flurry of packing and goodbyes. Maddie is heading home for a few weeks before going to the lake house with Sirus. I'm moving most of my stuff to Cole's temporarily before we drive to his parents' place together.
"Call me all the time," Maddie demands when we're saying goodbye. "I need updates. I need to know you're still alive."
"I'll be two hours away, not on another planet."
"Still. Updates." She hugs me tight. "Have the best summer. You deserve this."
"You too. Tell Sirus I said to treat you right or I'll kill him."
"He knows."
After she leaves, I stand in our empty dorm room feeling nostalgic and excited all at once. This year has been everything—messy and complicated and wonderful. I started it single and confused. I'm ending it in love and certain.
Cole picks me up an hour later, truck loaded with both our stuff. His hand finds mine over the center console as we drive away from campus.
"Ready?" he asks.
I look at him—at this man I love, who loves me back, who wants to spend his summer with me—and smile.
"Ready."
We stop for lunch halfway to his parents' house, at this diner that looks like it hasn't been updated since 1985. Cole orders a burger and fries. I get a salad that comes with more cheese than lettuce.
"You nervous?" he asks.
"About meeting your parents again? No. About living with them for three months? A little."
"They're going to love having you there. My sister's already texted me three times asking when we're arriving."
"She's sweet."
"She's nosy. Fair warning, she's going to interrogate you about everything."
"I can handle it."
He reaches across the booth to take my hand. "I know you can. You can handle anything."
When we arrive at his parents' house that evening, his mom is waiting on the porch. She hugs me before she hugs Cole, which makes him roll his eyes but also smile.
"Harper! We're so glad you're here. Come in, come in. I made your favorite for dinner—Cole told me you love lasagna."
His dad shakes my hand and helps unload the truck. His sister immediately drags me upstairs to show me where I'll be sleeping—the guest room next to Cole's room, which makes me bite back a smile.
"Mom insisted on separate rooms," Cole's sister says with a knowing look. "But the walls are thin, so behave yourselves."
"Emily!" Cole shouts from downstairs.
She just grins at me. "I like you. You're way better than his last girlfriend."
"Last girlfriend?"
I watch her trail down the hall as my heart leaps. We’ve never talked about exes, so I shouldn’t be surprised.
Dinner is chaotic and warm and everything I hoped it would be. Cole's family asks about school and my plans and what I think of their town. They include me in their jokes and their stories, and by the end of the night, I feel like I've been coming here for years.
Cole walks me to my room when it's time for bed.
"See? Told you they'd love you," he says.
"Your family is wonderful."
"They're yours too now. For the summer at least." He kisses me softly. "Thank you for being here."
"Thank you for having me."
He lingers in the doorway, clearly not wanting to leave. "Separate rooms is torture."
"Your mom's rules."
"My mom's rules," he agrees reluctantly. "Goodnight, Harper."
"Goodnight, Cole."
After he leaves, I sit on the edge of the bed and look around the guest room. It's decorated in soft blues and whites, with framed photos of the family on the dresser. Through the wall, I can hear Cole moving around in his room, and the sound is comforting.
This is my summer. This house, this family, this man.
I pull out my phone and text Maddie.
Me: Made it safely. His family is perfect. I think I'm going to love it here.
Maddie: Told you! Now go make out with your boyfriend (quietly so his parents don't hear).
Me: SEPARATE ROOMS.
Maddie: That's adorable. Have fun being wholesome.
I'm smiling when I set my phone down and get ready for bed. Through the wall, I hear Cole's door open and close, then a soft knock on mine.
"Harper?" he whispers.
I open the door to find him standing there in sweatpants and a t-shirt, looking sheepish.
"I forgot to give you this." He holds out one of his hoodies. "In case you get cold."
"Your room is literally ten feet away."
"I know. But still." He steps closer, his voice dropping lower. "I'm really glad you're here."
"Me too."
We stand there in the doorway, close enough to touch, both of us aware that his parents are asleep down the hall.
"We're really doing this, huh?" I say. "Whole summer together."
"Whole summer together," he confirms. "Think you can handle me for that long?"
I reach up and kiss him, soft and quick. "I guess we'll find out."
"Goodnight, Harper."
"Goodnight, Cole."
I close the door and lean against it, his hoodie clutched to my chest, smiling like an idiot. From the other side of the wall, I hear him laugh softly, like he knows exactly what I'm doing.
This is going to be the best summer of my life.