Chapter Twenty-one

The arena was a madhouse when the graduation ended, and Taryn didn't want to get in the way of Charlie's celebration with her classmates. She'd take her parents to dinner and spend a little time with them and hope to connect with Charlie later. She'd be leaving soon. Taryn had glimpsed the boxes stacked up in her kitchen just a few nights prior.

"I know you two aren't together, but do you think she was happy to have us here cheering for her?" her dad asked on their way to the car. "I wanted her to know she had her own cheering section up there."

"I have a feeling she was, Dad."

"Graduations always get me," her mom said. "I cry, I scream, I want to pursue my doctorate every damn time. It's a whole journey. I need a steak."

Taryn laughed. "I know a place not far from here."

They had a lively dinner together, and when Taryn had a spare moment from the boisterous conversation, she quietly sent a text to Charlie and prayed she'd hear back.

Congratulations, C. Like the sign says, incredibly proud of all you've done. Time to talk later?

To her surprise, she didn't have to wait long for an answer.

Yes. Come over later. Let's talk.

What? Seriously? A bolt of electricity shot through her. Taryn's eyes went wide. Talking could go a lot of different directions, and she needed to calm down and prepare herself in case Charlie patted her on the head and told her to go kick rocks. If that was the case, she would respect Charlie's wishes, wish her all the best, and become the best kicker of rocks there'd ever been. The thought made her want to crumple in a corner, but she'd keep that part to herself and get through whatever conversation they were primed to have.

When she arrived at the Sailor's Sound apartment complex after hugging her parents good-bye, Charlie's Rogue was parked in front, which meant she was inside. Taryn stood in the darkness, staring at the warm glow from behind the curtain-adorned window. This was terrifying. The stakes were high, and there was so much to lose. Taryn exhaled, attempting to slow her breathing, a relaxation exercise that had been serving her well. These were the last few moments before her and Charlie's future would in all likelihood be decided once and for all. She hoped against all hope for the second chance she'd prayed for and prepared her brain for the opposite.

She made her way up the walk and knocked twice, aware of the sound of her heart beating alongside the chirping crickets. Charlie answered with a polite smile that gave nothing away. Her hair was down, looking soft and like she'd just run her fingers through it, probably as she was walking to the door. "Hey, come on in."

Taryn did. "You have an MFA now." She rocked forward and back on her heels like an amateur. But that was okay. She was here and doing this. "Has it sunk in?"

"No," Charlie said with a smile. She glanced behind her. "Can I get you something to drink? Wine? It's Saturday after all."

"No, thank you." She honestly couldn't imagine consuming anything, in this moment that was laced with so much tension, she almost couldn't move. "Did you get a chance to celebrate?"

"Nothing fancy. We went to Toby's one last time." She leaned back against the counter. Her gray joggers and pink T-shirt meant she was in relaxing mode, in for the night. "Had a round of beers just like we used to do after a particularly hard class. I'm going to miss them all, eclectic little family that we are."

Taryn nodded. "End of an era."

"Do you know what I don't want it to be the end of?" She paused, the ends of her mouth turning down for a moment as emotion overwhelmed. "Us." Her blue eyes glistened with tears. Did that mean what Taryn thought it meant?

She blinked and played the admission back to be sure she was interpreting it correctly. "What are you saying? Could you please make it very clear because I don't want to leap to any conclusions if you just mean—"

Charlie's mouth on hers silenced the request. She heard herself murmur happily as their lips clung and then began to move, slowly at first and then with more determination. They were making up for lost time, breathing in the same air, memorizing each other, an exploration of what had been lost and what could be regained. Taryn's arms went around Charlie's waist, pulling her impossibly closer, never wanting to let go ever again.

"This right here," Charlie said, hand on Taryn's heart. "This is what I need. You are what I need." She found Taryn's eyes. "If we do this, you can't for a second let anything come between us. Do you hear me?"

"Not gonna happen. I swear to you." Charlie kissed her softly in silent promise. "You make me brave, and I will fight every damn chance I get for you, for us. That's not something you ever have to worry about again."

"I love you," Charlie said quietly. "I was so mad at you, but I never stopped loving you."

"I know," Taryn said, resting her forehead against Charlie's. "I was so proud of you today."

"I felt it." Charlie covered her mouth as if remembering something. "Your parents were there and adorable."

"They drove up this morning." Taryn placed her hand on her head. "They insisted. I couldn't keep them away."

Charlie laughed. "It was the sweetest. I need to give them a call and say thank you."

"Definitely." Taryn stole another kiss and threaded their fingers. "But maybe not tonight?"

Charlie's arms went automatically around Taryn's neck. "Why? Did you have other plans for us?"

Taryn kissed the underside of her jaw. "I just forget what your room looks like is all."

"Oh yeah? You want me to remind you?"

Another kiss. "Yes, please."

Charlie cupped her cheek, smiled, and led the way.

They made love by the light of the moon slanting in through Charlie's window, and Taryn didn't take a single kiss, touch, or sigh for granted. When the night shifted into early morning, they were still awake catching each other up, Charlie in Taryn's arms laughing at the story of Caz locking herself in the bathroom.

"You're going to have keep me up to date on all the shenanigans once I go."

"Brooklyn, right?"

Charlie nodded. "I'm going to teach."

"Those undergrads have no idea what's about to hit them."

Charlie slid more fully on top and looked down at Taryn. "But I have the whole summer to write and settle in. Do you think you'd want to visit?"

"What if I more than visited? I hear they have summer school in New York. I could pick up a few credits there just as easily as here."

Charlie's eyes went wide. "You want to come to New York for the summer?"

"I definitely want to."

"Do you know how much I would love that?"

"Then it's decided. We're spending the summer together." Taryn couldn't hold back the smile if she tried. And when she returned to Hillspoint, she'd have a semester left to graduation before she could join Charlie fully. Everything was coming together, and her heart, which had been limping along just hours before, soared with new happiness and possibilities.

"And there it is," Charlie said.

"There's what?"

"That smile. It does me in every time."

"God, I love you," Taryn said and kissed her again, excited for the adventures ahead, ready to live their lives hand in hand.

"You know, it may not always be easy," Charlie said. "We have careers to figure out. A new city to navigate."

"My parents to wrangle when they visit."

"That, too," Charlie said, laughing.

Taryn's smile faded. "But as long as we have each other, we can conquer anything. I fully believe that."

Charlie slid her hand beneath Taryn's jaw. "That may be one of my favorite things you've ever said."

"I'll remind you every day."

In the quiet of the new day, they drifted off to sleep safely in each other's arms, limbs tangled, hearts full. Happy, warm, and madly in love.