She sniffed again. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Have a good time.”
Travis looked at me and then pressed the phone tight against his ear. “Better hug your girl, Shep. She sounds upset. I know, man … me too. See you soon.”
I hung up seconds before Travis did, and we sat in silence for a moment, still processing what had happened. After several moments, Travis leaned back against his pillow, and then pulled me against his chest.
“America all right?” he asked, staring up at the ceiling.
“She’s upset. She’ll be okay.”
“I’m glad they weren’t there.”
I clenched my teeth. I hadn’t even thought about what might have happened had they not stayed with Shepley’s parents. My mind flashed to the terrified expressions of the girls in the basement, fighting against the men to escape. America’s frightened eyes replaced the nameless girls in that room. I felt nauseated thinking about her beautiful blond hair soiled and singed along with the rest of the bodies laid out on the lawn.
“Me too,” I said with a shiver.
“I’m sorry. You’ve been through a lot tonight. I don’t need to add anything else to your plate.”
“You were there, too, Trav.”
He was quiet for several moments, and just when I opened my mouth to speak again, he took a deep breath.
“I don’t get scared very often,” he said finally. “I was scared the first morning I woke up and you weren’t here. I was scared when you left me after Vegas. I was scared when I thought I was going to
have to tell my dad that Trent had died in that building. But when I saw you across the flames in that basement … I was terrified. I made it to the door, was a few feet from the exit, and I couldn’t leave.”
“What do you mean? Are you crazy?” I said, my head jerking up to look into his eyes.
“I’ve never been so clear about anything in my life. I turned around, made my way to that room you were in, and there you were. Nothing else mattered. I didn’t even know if we would make it out or not, I just wanted to be where you were, whatever that meant. The only thing I’m afraid of is a life without you, Pigeon.”
I leaned up, kissing his lips tenderly. When our mouths parted, I smiled. “Then you have nothing to be afraid of. We’re forever.”
He sighed. “I’d do it all over again, you know. I wouldn’t trade one second if it meant we were right here, in this moment.”
My eyes felt heavy, and I took in a deep breath. My lungs protested, still burning from the smoke. I coughed a bit and then relaxed, feeling Travis’s warm lips against my forehead. His hand glided over my damp hair, and I could hear his heart beating steady in his chest.
“This is it,” he said with a sigh.
“What?”
“The moment. When I watch you sleeping … that peace on your face? This is it. I haven’t had it since before my mom died, but I can feel it again.” He took another deep breath and pulled me closer. “I knew the second I met you that there was something about you I needed. Turns out it wasn’t something about you at all. It was just you.”
The corner of my mouth turned up as I buried my face into his chest. “It’s us, Trav. Nothing makes sense unless we’re together. Have you noticed that?”
“Noticed? I’ve been telling you that all year!” he teased. “It’s official. Bimbos, fights, leaving, Parker, Vegas … even fires … our relationship can withstand anything.”
I lifted my head up once more, noticing the contentment in his eyes as he looked at me. It was similar to the peace I had seen on his face after I lost the bet to stay with him in the apartment, after I told him I loved him for the first time, and the morning after the Valentine’s dance. It was similar, but different. This was absolute—permanent. The cautious hope had vanished from his eyes, unqualified trust taking its place.
I recognized it only because his eyes mirrored what I was feeling.
“Vegas?” I asked.
His brow furrowed, unsure of where I was headed. “Yeah?”
“Have you thought about going back?”
His eyebrows shot up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea for me.”