I glance down at my hand and then to the stadium, knowing without really knowing that something magical is about to happen. Unable to form words, I get out of the car and make my journey toward the stadium with the necklace clutched in my hand. The security asks my name then lets me through when I tell him.
I walk down the tunnel and onto the field, smiling when I remember the night Kayden took me here over two years ago to play catch. And to make out pressed up against the field post. It seems smaller this time, though, less overwhelming. Honestly, I feel like I kind of belong here.
The feeling only amplifies when Kayden emerges from behind me. I take in his brown hair hanging in his gorgeous eyes I swear can read my soul now. And his lean arms and broad shoulders that hold me whenever I feel sad. He’s dressed not in his uniform but in jeans, boots, and his coat, which I find a little odd.
‘Hey, you made it,’ he says as he casually walks toward me, like this isn’t at all weird.
‘Yeah, but I’m wondering why I needed to make it,’ I say with suspicion, tipping my head back to look up at him as he reaches me. ‘I’m guessing you and Seth have something major planned, though, since the two of you never plot together unless it’s something epic.’
‘Oh, it’s definitely epic,’ he says in a cocky tone, but his eyes reveal otherwise. He’s nervous and that makes me nervous.
‘Okay …?’ My fingers tighten around the necklace. ‘Would you like to share with me what this epicness is?’
He nods, but swallows hard, his skin suddenly paling. ‘A-actually,’ he starts to stammer, but then clears his throat and shakes his head at himself. ‘Okay, let me try that again.’ We both laugh, but not because this is funny – because we’re nervous.
‘Do you remember the last time you and I were out here?’ he asks, motioning at the field and the bleachers enclosing it.
I nod. ‘Yeah, I kicked your ass at catch.’
He laughs, his eyes bright, but his nerves still there. ‘You did, didn’t you?’ He pauses, tugging his fingers through his hair. ‘Well, I thought I’d bring you back here so we could relive another good past memory since we haven’t done this one before.’
Is that what this is about? ‘You want to play catch again?’
He shakes his head. ‘No, I want to ask you something.’
‘Okay …?’ I’m so confused.
And he’s looking paler by the second.
‘Do you have your necklace?’ he asks, his voice almost as soft as a whisper.
I nod then open my hand. ‘Yeah, Seth told me not to look at it until I got to the stadium.’ There’s a pause and then he nervously waits for me to catch on. ‘Oh, right.’ I laugh at myself as I look down at the book pendant in my hand.
And then I see it.
What all of this is about?
‘By Callie Lawrence-Owens,’ I read aloud, sounding more nervous than him.
‘Open it.’ This time, he does whisper.
With trembling fingers, I fumble with the clasp and finally get it open. The pages are no longer blank. They are filled with the promise of a story. And it’s the most amazing story ever.
Your happily after.
‘Yes!’ I cry before he can even ask. Then I throw my arms around his neck and hug him with everything I have in me.
He laughs at me and whispers a, ‘Thank God,’ sounding extremely happy as he returns my hug equally, giving me the best thing in the world.
Not just my happy after.
But him.