And she’ll never be anyone else’s.
Not on my fucking watch.
I run a hand through my hair and curse under my breath. I’ve gotta see her. I need to find a truck, drive to that damn retreat, and tell her exactly what’s going on in my chest. That she’s it. That this thing between us is not just some temporary summer firestorm. It’s real. It’s fucking forever if she’ll let me have it.
But I’m filthy, and exhausted, and still have reports to fill out and a helicopter to refuel. She deserves the best of me, so I know I should get some rest. She has her shift anyway.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll tell her exactly how I feel.
Just as I’m standing up and grabbing my water bottle, I hear boots crunch behind me.
“Hey, lover boy,” Danny calls out. “How’d the apology go yesterday?”
I smirk over my shoulder. “I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
He lets out a bark of laughter. “Damn. So you actually pulled it off.”
“Apology, yes. Restraint? Not so much.”
Danny lifts both brows. “So you got laid?”
“I got forgiven,” I deadpan.
He whistles low. “Must’ve been one hell of a speech.”
I shake my head, grinning despite myself. “Something like that.”
Danny leans against a toolbox, arms crossed, eyeing me with a curious expression. “You’re different, man. I haven’t seen you like this in…ever.”
I grab a rag, wipe the grime from my hands. “Like what?”
“Like you’re not thinking five steps ahead. Like you’re just…in it.” He studies me for a second. “You’re really sure about this girl? You barely know her.”
“I’ve never been more fucking sure of anything.”
The words leave my mouth before I can stop them…and they’re true. Solid. Rooted in me deeper than anything I’ve ever said.
Danny whistles again, this time more likedamn. “Jake Pearson. Saying words like that out loud. I’m shocked.”
“I’m shocked too,” I admit, folding the rag and tossing it in the bin. “But it doesn’t matter if it’s been five minutes or five years. I know what I want when I see it.”
“And you want her.”
I meet his eyes. “Yeah. I do.”
Danny tilts his head, grinning like a bastard. “Should I be prepping a best man speech? You hearing wedding bells already?”
I roll my eyes, but I don’t deny it.
Because maybe the idea of Ruby barefoot in some wildflower field, walking toward me with that bright-ass smile…doesn’t sound so crazy.
Maybe it sounds perfect.
“She’s different,” I say finally. “I don’t feel like I’m holding back around her. Like I don’t need to pretend to be some cold-hearted bastard all the damn time.”
“Good,” Danny says, “’cause that guy’s a real asshole.”
I laugh, the knot in my chest loosening a little. “Yeah. He was.”