"That's a good goal. We could head out to Montana and do Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons this summer," I say without thinking.
Her eyes go wide before she looks down at her plate. I just made plans for roughly seven months from now and tipped my hand. Well, I'm in this for the long haul, and the sooner she realizes that, the better.
We finish up our meal in comfortable silence before going back to the motel. Once in our room, I sit on the couch and pull her onto my lap.
"What I said back there, I meant it, baby girl. I am in this for the long haul." I try to clear the air.
"I want what you do, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about telling Nate about us and how it will affect us. Everything changes when we get there. When people start finding out about us, they’ll have their own opinions."
To stop her thoughts and her rambling, I lean in and kiss her. I get where she is coming from. We got together during an escape from life, and real everyday life will be different. But I have no doubt that it will be even better.
With this kiss, I try to convey all of our wants and desires. I want her to trust in me, to let me shoulder the weight of this. Then I carry her to the bed, and our lovemaking is more desperate because change is in the air, and we both know it.
"I can't believe it's over," Rory says as we stand in front of the Route 66 end of the trail sign.
Both of us stare at it in almost disbelief. It's the end of the road trip, the marker that says Rory can check Route 66 off her bucket list, and yet I feel jipped. The trip went by too fast, and I want a do-over. I want more time.
"Come on, let's get our photo, then I want to ride the Ferris wheel with you." We take our just friends photo that will get sent to her brother and parents. Then we take our couples photos with her in my arms and us kissing in front of the sign.
She sends the photos to her brother, who turns around and calls almost immediately.
We walk to a quiet place out of the way, and she puts him on speakerphone.
"You did it! How does it feel?" Nate asks.
"Yup, I finally did it. But it went by too fast, and it was better than I expected." Her eyes meet mine when she says that, and I couldn't agree more. I kiss her forehead because I don't think pulling her in for a passionate kiss with her brother on the phone is a good idea.
"So, you’ll be here in what a day or two?" Nate asks.
"That's the plan. We’re going to see the Santa Monica Pier tonight and head up to Napa first thing tomorrow. Depending on traffic," she says.
"Be careful and don't give West a hard time. You’re almost free of him."
A pit forms in my stomach. I don't want her free of me, but I can't say that, and I can tell Rory isn't too happy that I can't speak up either.
"See you soon, brother," Rory tells him and ends the call.
"You will never be free of me, baby girl. Do you understand me? Never."