Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

like it now that I know how much shemeans to you.” He shook his head with a frown. “Girl can’t even remember to lockthe door, for Christ sakes.”

Byron chuckled almost giving into the stupidity of what hearingher dad say he liked him did to him. He nearly blurted out that he didn’t haveto worry because most days she stayed at his place lately anyway. But he managedto catch himself. Instead, he admitted something there was no doubt aboutanymore.

“She’s everything to me now.” He had to suppress the emotion he wasfeeling once again. “I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy. Youhave my word.”

Her dad glanced away taking a deep breath, before looking back athim. “I’m holding you to that, boy.” Clapping Byron’s shoulder, he started towalk off but turned around. “You’re welcome to join us tomorrow if you wannadrive down with her.” Before Byron could respond to that, the big guy turnedaround again with an almost smirk. “Don’t think I’m all sweet on you either.I’d just feel better if she didn’t take the two-hour drive down and back byherself.”

Smiling for the first time, in what felt like way toofucking long, Byron was already mentally clearing up his busy scheduletomorrow. “I’ll see you there.”

Despite how good it felt knowing Savannah was safe, and that herfather and him had made an unlikely connection, Byron started back to the dormwhere he knew he’d be facing the music about his night with Irma now.

Twenty-Nine

Why not?

Vannah

The moment she openedher dorm door, Byron stepped in and wrapped his arms around her tightly again.He held her for a long time taking in deep breaths. His embraces were alwaysheartfelt, but this felt even more emotional somehow. Xochitl had already confirmedwhat Vannah thought she’d imagined when she first walked in. Those really had beentears in his eyes she’d seen, and they’d been shed because of the dread he’dbeen put through. Vannah couldn’t even blame him. He’d already suffered twoharrowing and heart wrenching experiences in his life. She didn’t even know howshe would’ve handled thinking something might’ve happened to him. Just like allthe other times she’d been so quick to forgive and forget his past poppingup, she’d already decided she wouldn’t dwell on the whole Irma thing. And sheknew why now, just as he had today, Byron had worn his heart on his sleeve fromthe very beginning and she loved him for it. She’d promised not to hold hispast against him, and she was keeping that promise.

It wasn’t until he finally pulled away sniffling, that she saw hisbloodshot eyes were flooded again, and she was instantly choked up.

“Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Irma—”

“No.” She shook her head adamantly taking his face in her hands. “I’mglad you didn’t, and I don’t even wanna hear about it now, it would’ve beenworse then. It just took me by surprise and shook me for a moment, but I hadtime to think about it during this stupid standoff and it doesn’t matter. Thatwas before we’d made any promises. You’ve proved more than enough times already,and you’re proving it again now.” She smiled wiping away the tears that escapedthe corners of his eyes. “That your intentions are honorable, and your love is asgenuine as it gets.”

“Savannah you don’t even know.” He leaned in and kissed her as Vannahbrought her arms around his neck. “I already knew I’d fallen hard. Andyou probably didn’t believe it when I said if I had it my way, I’d marry youtomorrow. But after today, if I thought you’d say yes, fuck the four years ofschool, I’d get down on my knees, and ask you to marry me right now.” Her eyeswent wide, and he shook his head quickly. “I know it sounds like crazy talk, andI really do respect that you want to finish school first. I’m just saying there’sno question about it anymore. I’ll never feel like this for anyone else. You’reit for me. Four years from now, I know I’ll still feel the same. When youwalked in through that door today, all I could think of was how the hell I’dlet you out of my sight again? How could I convince you to sleep in the safetyof my arms every night, for the rest of your life?”

“I think you just did.”

He smiled sniffling, as Vannah tried not to freak out about thewords that had just flown out without thought, but clearly, even he didn’tthink she was being serious. She was just reacting to his sweet words, hypothetically.Right?

The moment she saw that what she’d just said sunk in; her heartthudded. He tilted his head peering at her suddenly. “What?”

She felt her eyes go wide again as her heartsped up. Did she dare repeat it? It was crazy talk, but she’d already begun toconsider Xochitl’s suggestion that she just move in with him. What differencedid it make if they were married or not? She already knew she couldn’t livewithout him. Her old school grandparents would probably appreciate their firstgrandkid to leave home, to be because she was getting married, not shacking upwith her boyfriend. And who said she couldn’t keep going to school while shewas married? It’s not like they could marry immediately anyway. Her familywould never hear of it. Their first grandchild in the family to marry would getthe biggest, fattest, Moreno wedding La Jolla had ever had. The baby makingwould definitely have to wait but most importantly, there was no question aboutit for Vannah anymore either. Byron was it for her too. As insane asthis really was, she couldn’t even imagine her life without him anymore.

Cautiously lifting and dropping a shoulder, her heart raced as hiseyes widened. “Why not?”

His jaw dropped. “You’re shitting me?”

“I could still finish school and—”

She stopped, and yelped bringing her hand over her mouth, when hedropped to his knee in front of her. “Marry me?”

“Yes!” she said without even giving it another thought.

Jumping to his feet, he picked her up and spun her around as she laughednervously, then put her down just as suddenly. “I know that