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“Well, I’m not interested in meeting anybody else. You can put that fear out of your mind.”

A grin lifts his sexy lips, and he watches me with a mixture of pride and deep understanding. “I’m just mentally preparing. You’re going to be amazing. You already are.”

My arms go around his waist again, and I press my chest to his firm one, smiling up into his eyes. “You’ve known me all my life. Do I ever go back on my word?”

He doesn’t answer my question. Instead he places his hands on the sides of my head, smoothing my hair back. I love it when he does that. “You might change your mind.”

“Not going to happen.”

Leaning down, I get a slower, sweeter kiss. I pull his lips with mine, and I feel a rise in his pants.

He lifts his chin, eying the door and putting space between us. Dammit. “So what’s your major anyway?”

Exhaling heavily, I try to think. “Psychology.”

“What?” I love his dimpled grin. “I thought you’d say vet med.”

Shrugging, I trace my nail along a huge box of cornmeal. So many conversations we never get to have. So much I know only he would understand.

“I like working at the shelter, with the puppies and kittens.” My mind goes to my plans. “But when I grow up, I want to help people. Like be a counselor or a social worker.”

He takes my hand, threading our fingers. “You always want to help somehow.”

“I want to help my daddy.”

Stormy eyes meet mine. He knows. He understands me, and it solidifies what I’ve known all my life. I can’t wait to say it any longer. “Gray, I love you…”

The small door rattles. The handle turns, and Ruby’s voice is loud. “Mrs. Stern! Can I get you something? I’m here to help!”

We step apart. I reach for the lard, and Gray turns to the other shelf, his back to me.

“When Mrs. Harris was alive, we didn’t have any of this… flip flops in Sunday school. That can’t be sanitary around the food.” Ralph’s mom pushes into the supply closet. “Oh, here you are! I was looking for you, Andrea. What is that? Lard?”

“I thought you might need it… for the cooking.”

She puts a hand on her chest, and laughs in a pitying way. “Bless your heart, you’ve never cooked a day in your life, have you?”

“I made pancakes once… and shrimp and grits.”

“The food’s already cooked, honey. You just come on out here and enjoy it with your brother. Oh, and Grayson.”

She leads the way out, and I roll my eyes at her behind her back. We start to go, but Gray catches my face before we leave the small closet. He pulls me against his chest in a hug so tight, it brings tears to my eyes.

“I’ll write to you.” His voice is thick. He’s telling me goodbye.

He kisses me long and hard returning all the love I told him I feel.

It’s the final time we’re alone before they board the plane.

It’s the moment I’ll live on, no matter what he thinks I’ll do in college.

“Come back to me, Grayson,” I whisper, watching him fly away. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

Chapter 4

Gray

The Desert