“Okay, open them,” she said, nudging his wrist.
Blinking, Booker’s gaze refocused as he stared down at the gold ring he held.
Caitlin held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
A smile crept across Booker’s face, reaching the corners of his eyes.
“Y’got me a ring,” he murmured, picking up the wedding band.
“Not just any ring,” she told him. “Like I said, I wanted to find the perfect one, which is even harder when most shopping malls are overrun with Geeks, but…” She glanced up at him. “I think you’ll like this one.”
Holding it up to inspect, Booker nodded. “It’s awfully nice. Glad it’s regular gold, ‘cause I hate that white gold crap—”
“Jack,” she interrupted him, grinning. “Look at the inside.”
Furrowing his brow, he turned the ring until the inscription was visible.
He read it, and then read it again.
Booker swallowed. “You and me. Together forever.”
Caitlin smiled softly. “Together,” she said.
She barely had time to react before Booker was reaching for her, cupping her face and pulling her into a fiery kiss that stole her breath and sent sparks dancing up her spine.
“Together,” he repeated, voice thick with emotion.
Caitlin held him, refusing to let go, even as he slid the ring onto his left hand and admired how well it fit.
They fell back against their pillows, wrapped up in each other but not yet drifting asleep.
With Booker’s heartbeat in her ear, Caitlin smiled at the memory of him finding her, alone and vulnerable behind a bush in Alabama.
All the bickering. The struggles to survive. The instant, visceral bond that brought them closer and closer with each passing minute.
She wouldn’t change any of it, because it led them to that farm, that bed, that moment as comfort and rest started to cloak them like a blanket.
They had each other.
Together.
Forever.
The End
About the Author
Gwendolyn Harper enjoys living in costal New England with her two rescued dogs and favorite coffee mug collection. When she’s not dreaming up new stories to tell, she can be found exploring beaches and graveyards, and finding a great cocktail.
For updates about her work, follow her on Instagram @gwendolyn.harper.books
