He pulled me into his arms. “Thank you for putting it on, baby. I’m going to miss you so damn much. God, Liza I don’t want to leave.”
I held onto him and closed my eyes. My emotions were all over the place. One minute I wanted to tell him not to leave—that I would marry him tomorrow if he wanted. The next, I was confused as hell about the feelings I still had for Walker.
Keith pulled back. I slid my hands into my back pockets.
“I love you, Liza,” he said. “I’ll see you August twenty-fourth.”
I nodded as I wiped away my tears. “Be careful,” I said. “Tell your dad I said ‘Hi’ and that I miss him.” I said as Keith picked up his suitcases. Keith and his father, Tom, where going hiking along the Appalachian Trail together this summer. They’d been planning the trip for years. The moment Keith graduated, they wanted to spend a few months together, just the two of them. I knew how much this meant to Keith, especially since his father beat cancer two years ago.
Keith took a few steps back and gave me that sweet smile of his. “I’ll text or call when I get a signal.”
I sniffled and said, “Okay. Be careful.”
“Always, baby. I love you and I can’t wait to get home and make you my wife.” He quickly turned away before I could even say anything.
I watched him walk into the airport. When I could no longer see him, I turned and got back into my car, pulling in a deep breath. I rested my head on the seatback. I was going to miss him. I lifted up my hand and looked at the ring, wondering if I could marry Keith, if I even wanted to. I thought I did, but I wasn’t so sure. Shaking my head, I
let out a frustrated sigh. What the hell is wrong with me? I needed to come to terms with the idea of following my dreams in Dallas, with Keith.
I looked forward and pulled out my phone and texted Jase.
Me: Hey.
Jase: Hey, big sis. Are you on your way home?
Me: Yep. Just dropped off Keith and will be there in a few hours. My car is packed down with stuff.
Jase: Mom and dad have a surprise party planned for you.
Me: Oh, shit. No.
Jase: Yep. Dad even bought something to try to persuade you to stay in Llano.
“Great. Just what I need, my father butting in and making me more confused,” I said to myself as I started the car. I looked down at my phone and sent my brother a text.
Me: Tell dad he can’t sway me, one way or the other. Then tell him I love him. Who all is there?
Jase: Just us, big sis. No one loves you enough to show up.
I laughed and shook my head as I tossed my phone to the side. When I heard my phone beep, I took one last look at it. My heart rate picked up when I read Jase’s last text.
Jase: Just kidding. Walker just showed up.
I TOOK A deep breath as I looked at Liza’s house. I hadn’t seen her since last summer, and it had only been for five minutes. Jessica had been with me, and when I’d tried to talk to Liza, it had been awkward as hell. She didn’t notice me looking at her finger and seeing the ring I’d given her before we left for college. I was shocked that she still wore it. She’d been dating her rich asshole boyfriend for three years or so. She seemed happy.
I stepped out of my truck and was about to make my way to the front door when I remembered that, last time I walked through that door, I’d had every intention of telling Liza how much I still thought about her. I’d wanted to take her in my arms and tell her how I still felt.
“Walker!”
I turned to see Ava running toward me. I smiled and held out my arms, ready for a full force blow when she threw her body into mine. And that’s exactly what she did. I was almost knocked backwards as I laughed. “Why hello there, Ava Grace.”
I set her down and she hit me on the shoulder. “Don’t call me that. I hate it. Just Ava.” She gave me a once-over and glanced into the truck before asking, “No Jessica?”
I shook my head. “Not this time.”
Ava sighed. “Bummer. I was really hoping to pick her brain about France.”
Ava took my hand as we made our way up to the front door of the Morris’ house. “So is Jessica excited about moving to the ranch?”