Page 108 of Somehow You Knew

Gage kisses the top of my head. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.”

“But there’s something that I need to tell you.”

“Okay...”

He grows quiet again, the sound of crickets outside providing background noise. “My aunt wanted the proceeds from her house to be donated to the Veteran’s Center.”

I launch up from the bed. “What?”

He nods. “In honor of your dad.”

“Really? Why would she do that?” My heart is hammering in my chest.

“Because she knew how much your dad meant to you, and you meant a lot to her.”

“Wow…”

He cuts me off. “Either way, I’m taking the money to the Veteran’s Center this week, and I want you to come with me.” He lifts my hand, kissing it softly.

My eyes well with tears. “Gage…”

He leans up, presses his lips to mine, and pulls me back down to the bed with him, situating me across his chest. “This whole thing is crazy, Hazel. But at this point, what choice do we have but to embrace it?”

Sighing, I close my eyes and try not to overanalyze the bomb he just dropped, focusing instead on the progress we are making in our relationship.

“Itiscrazy, but it feels right.”

He hums in agreement before stretching and releasing an exaggerated yawn. “God, you wear me out.”

I giggle. “Well, get ready for round two. You’ve been gone for three days and it’s hardly fair not to make up for lost time.”

He pulls me into him, dusting his lips across mine. “Nothing about this is fair, Spitfire, but I’m beginning to understand why.”

Chapter twenty

Hazel

“Hey, you okay?” Gage squeezes my hand as I stare at the Veteran’s Center, preparing myself to go in. This building holds so many emotions for me—pride, sadness, honor, grief. And that last one is why I haven’t been here in years.

“Yeah, it’s just hard to walk in here.”

“When’s the last time you were here?”

“When they honored Dad the year he died.”

Gage pulls me into his chest, holding me tight and reminding me I don’t have to face this alone, that I can handle whatever emotions come when we walk through those doors.

“This money is going to help so many people, baby.”

“I know.” I sniffle against his shirt before leaning back to look at him. “I still can’t believe Diane did this, but I’m also so grateful.”

He lifts my hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the top of it. “My aunt knew it would be put to good use. And she obviously cared about you.”

Steadying myself, I take a deep breath and head inside, only to find my mom and brothers standing next to the front desk. “What are you guys doing here?”

Mom takes a step toward me, pulling me in for a hug. “Gage asked us to be here, sweetie.”