***
Dev didn’t say a word to me all the way to Colorado, and when he spoke it was out of necessity.
“Looks like a spring storm. I don’t have any chains and it would be stupid to risk it.”
It was dark outside, but I could see the snow flurries painting the road white farther up ahead. A flashing sign signaled that chains would be needed if we were to continue.
“What should we do?” I asked. I never had to deal with snow in Texas.
“There’s a decent looking hotel off the highway. We’ll just stay the night here and reassess in the morning.”
He looked at me tenderly. “You could probably use some more rest.”
We pulled into the worn but clean Happy Pines Lodge and Dev checked us in while I huddled by a heater in the lobby. When he returned, he looked apologetic.
“Sorry, Scarlett. They only had one room. Apparently we’re not the only ones seeking shelter from the storm tonight.”
I almost laughed out loud.
Of course there’s only one room.
“I can sleep on the floor,” he offered.
“Thanks.”
Room 205 wasn’t half and had a rustic, cozy feel. Dev put the luggage in the closet and then turned to me as I took off my coat.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. There’s a restaurant downstairs…shall we go?” he asked.
The last thing I wanted was to sit across from him eating Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes from a box.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Contrary to what you must believe, you’re not a squirrel, Scarlett.” He looked at my small bag of roasted almonds on the desk. “You can’t live off of nuts.”
“I’m fine, Dev. Thanks.”
“I’ll bring you something.”
When he was gone, I took a long, hot shower. I thought about the letter and wondered what was in it that was so important. I made up my mind I was going to read it that night.
I towel-dried my long curls and then put on my robe. Dev was still gone, so I opened up my purse where I had kept his letter since Annika first gave it to me. When I couldn’t find it, I emptied out my purse on the desk and sorted through the piles.
Not here? Damnit, where could it be?
I carefully went through my luggage. Nothing.
Then I spied Dev’s overnight bag. Could he have taken it?
I glanced at the door. Surely he would be gone for a little while longer. I carried the leather carry-on to the bed and opened up the first exterior pocket, the most obvious place he would have stashed it. There was nothing inside but a black velvet box. A jewelry box.
What is this?
I thought it could be the box Renee kept my dad’s necklace in. I opened it, expecting it to be empty, but instead there sat a large diamond engagement ring.
What is he doing with an engagement ring? It looked like two carats set in intricately etched platinum. Someone had taken great care picking it out.
It was perfect.
Before I could think of all the reasons he would have this ring, the door opened. Dev stood there, no doubt surprised at seeing me rifle through his things—again. He looked horrified when he spotted the box in my hand, as if I found something sinister among his possessions—something that revealed a deep, dark secret.
“What are you doing?” he gasped.
I snapped the box closed.
“Sorry. I was looking for something.”
He walked in carefully, like he was approaching someone with a loaded gun. He was trying to read my face.
“What’s the ring for?” I asked, forcing myself to sound indifferent.
He moved in closer, his gaze intense and serious. I almost looked away, his eyes burned through me.
“It’s an engagement ring. I bought it for you five months ago,” he answered, his voice solemn. “I’ve been carrying it around with me like an idiot ever since.”
I wasn’t expecting that.
Of all the things he could have said, I never would have guessed it would be that. A million thoughts ran through my head, but no words came out.
He continued. “You might as well know. I was planning to ask you to marry me…after you graduated.” He brushed my wet hair back from my cheek. His touch was electric, and my breath quickened. “No matter what you think…or what anyone else has told you, I love you, Scarlett.”
I could feel my eyes filling with tears. I tried to hold them back, but failed. I looked down at the cheap hotel carpeting, trying to hide my emotion.
“But you can’t marry me. Your family…”
When I blinked, I felt the build-up of hot tears release and roll down my cheek.
He moved in so close I imagined I could hear his heart beating. But it was mine, racing, pounding in my ears. He tenderly lifted my chin up so he could see my face.
“There’s no one standing between us, my love, except for us. I know you’re young, but we can wait. I just want—need—you near me. I can’t explain it, but I found you just when I had lost myself. When I didn’t know who I was anymore. Scarlett—”
Out of words, he leaned down and kissed my tears away on each cheek, slowly, methodically. He made his way to my mouth and kissed me carefully, as if I could break. Then he pulled back and searched my eyes for some sign that I felt the same way.
I was overwhelmed.
Marry me?
But I was 18 and just out of high school—we were both so young.
Something didn’t make sense to me, but the look of utter love in his eyes convinced me that somehow it would all work out.
I kissed him back, hard on the mouth, the intensity of my feelings taken possession of my body.
In between breathless kisses, he whispered, “Scarlett, tell me you love me.”
I met his eyes. I didn’t know what the future would hold or what obstacles we would face, but what I did know was enough for now.
It was everything.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on tight, never wanting to let go.
“I love you, Dev.”
The end.