Page 36 of BOURBON GIRL: part 6 of 6

My heart thumped so hard I was sure everyone on the dock could hear it. "Jett—"

"Is there anything I can do or say to make you stay?"

We moved closer together without conscious decision, drawn by gravity or desire or six months of building feelings neither of us had fully acknowledged. When our lips met, the cold disappeared, the other campers faded away, and there was only this—the warmth of his mouth, the rightness of his hands cradling my face, the way kissing him felt like coming home.

When we finally pulled apart, both breathless, I rested my forehead against his.

"I have to go back," I whispered. "I have to finish my degree. Not for anyone else—for myself. To prove I can complete something I started."

He sighed, his breath warm against my face. "I know."

"I'm sorry—"

"Don't be sorry." He pulled back to look at me. "There's only one thing to be done, then."

"What's that?"

"I'll have to come to Arizona to visit. When the bees allow." His mouth quirked into a hopeful smile. "If you'll have me."

"Yes." The word burst out of me like a dam breaking. "Yes, please. Come visit. Come often. Come whenever you can."

"It's a deal." He kissed me again, softer this time, sealing the promise.

Around us, the other campers pretended not to notice, though I caught Tracy wiping her eyes and Lou grinning like he'd orchestrated the whole thing.

As midnight approached, someone turned on a radio, the announcer counting down from Times Square. The entire dock joined in, voices rising together in the cold night air.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

Jett's hand found mine, fingers intertwining.

"Seven! Six! Five!"

Poppy bounced with excitement, her red curls escaping from her winter hat.

"Four! Three! Two!"

"ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Fireworks exploded over the lake, brilliant colors reflecting off the dark water—reds and golds and greens, cascading sparks that lit up the Kentucky sky. The crowd cheered, strangers hugging strangers, celebrating the death of one year and the birth of another.

Jett pulled me close and kissed me as fireworks bloomed overhead, and for a moment everything was perfect—the cold, the beauty, the promise of what might come next.

When the last firework faded and the crowd began dispersing back to their campers and cars, Jett and I walked slowly toward my van, neither of us ready to say goodnight.

"I don't like the thought of you spending another cold night in your van alone," he said when we reached it. "Is there room for two?"

I smiled up at him, my heart full despite the impending goodbye. "We'll make room."

We climbed into the van together. Jett wrapped his arms around me, and I settled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

Outside, Kentucky was celebrating the new year. Tomorrow, I'd leave this place. But tonight, I was exactly where I needed to be.

And maybe that's how life works. Maybe you set out searching for answers and discover that the real gift is in the journey itself.

Safe travels onyourjourney, my friend.

-The End-