Page 180 of The Path to Loving Him
“So do I.” I lift my chin and press a kiss to his lips. It’s quick and sweet and just what I need at the moment. “What about you? What’s one of your favorite moments?”
“Easy, my dad wanted us out of the house because we were bugging him. He was feeling particularly gracious that day andgave me one hundred dollars. Told me not to come home until he passed out. Which usually on a weekend was around six at night.”
“I hate that.”
“Knowing it was six at night was a relief for all of us. Sometimes, when I see that it’s six, I still feel that sense of relief, even as a thirty-five-year-old man.”
My expression softens as I cup his cheek. “I also hate that.”
“Me too.” This time, he kisses me. When he pulls away, he cups my cheek for a second and then continues his story. “One hundred dollars got us pretty far that day. The first thing we did was drive to the arcade down the road, and we each got ten dollars to use. Then we all bought huge ice cream cones. We went mini golfing, and since Cassidy was friends with the owner’s daughter and they knew about our situation, they gave us unlimited games and free rides on the go-carts. We spent the rest of our money on food and soda. We laughed so much that day. I kind of felt like Richie Rich, going around and spending money without thinking about it.”
“What a great day.”
“It really was. Interesting how money was a central theme around one of our best days growing up.”
“When you’re deprived of it, you unfortunately miss out on opportunities, no matter how many times you attempt to make your own.”
“It’s very true. We did pretty well without any money at our disposal, but hell, when we had moments when we could spare a few bucks, we made sure to make the most of it.”
“Same.” I smile. “You know, I’ve never met anyone else with such a similar and complicated life experience as me. Makes me feel not so alone.”
He strokes my hair gently. “I feel the same way, babe.”
I sigh into his chest, unsure of how I was able to be this lucky. Life has been. ..hard. But right now, sitting with a man whogetswhat it’s like to struggle, to grieve with what life has given you, it’s truly unbelievable. His comments don’t show pity but comprehension, and that’s both sobering and reassuring.
We’re both survivors.
And if this does go well, we could be survivors together.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
RYLAND
Why am I nervous?
This is stupid.
There is no reason for me to be nervous at all.
Yet as I stand in front of Gabby’s door, ready to knock, I can feel the shake in my legs.
Mac is with Hayes and Hattie right now, swimming and having the time of her life. They sent me a picture of her on the horse float, wearing sunglasses and drinking a lemonade. I immediately made it the wallpaper on my phone because the picture is pure joy, and I know Cassidy would do the same thing.
I lift my hand to the door and knock on it a few times before sticking my hands in my pockets. I wait for a few seconds and the door opens, revealing my beautiful girl, standing there in a pair of leggings, a tight crop top, and a backward hat with her hair down.
Fuck she looks so good.
“Hey.” She smiles up at me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. You free right now?”
Confused, she nods. “I’m free.” She then looks around. “Are you?”
“Mac is with Hattie and Hayes. I was hoping to steal you for a date.”
“Really?” she asks, looking hopeful.
“Yeah, but it’s sort of a selfish date.”
