The Rules of You and Me
Page 20
Mark stood and led me to the door. Then he did something he’d never done before: He hugged me.
“You’ve come a long way,” he said. “I expect great things from you.” He leaned down so that we were eye level. “But only the things you want for yourself.”
I nodded. “It’s a deal.”
I swung my purse over my shoulder and turned the doorknob. Then I walked out of Mark’s office, holding onto that feeling of freedom.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
I pushed through the crowd, still clutching the crushed invitation in one hand. Everyone looked the same, the same uniform and the same haircut. I didn’t know how I’d find him in this crowd. He was there—I had spotted him marching in formation during the graduation ceremony. Waiting through the marching and the demonstrations and the music had almost killed me with anticipation. Now I was lost in the crowd of family members and friends all excited to see their newly minted soldiers.
But where was he? I stood on tiptoe, scanning the faces around me.
I thought about going back to find Mom and Dad, just to have someone familiar nearby, but I forced myself to push ahead.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. A text from Ashton.
Have you seen him yet????
Not yet, I texted back.
We want pictures!!!
I started to type out a response, but then I felt someone in front of me.
I looked up into the familiar gray eyes.
“Hey,” Jude said.
“Hey,” I answered, my phone now forgotten.
He looked good. The weeks at boot camp had given him new muscle definition and his skin was brown from the sun. The uniform made him look distinguished and so different from the ordinary, reserved guy I’d met in Asheville. Jude rubbed a hand over his buzzed haircut.
“I’m glad you came,” he said.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I told him.
All the words I had wanted to say crowded into my head, but I didn’t know what to say first. Then I remembered the rules.
Rule #1: Be honest. Don’t complicate things.
Rule #2: Do what scares you the most.
Rule #3: Always do the thing that could get you arrested.
Rule #4: Don’t be afraid of reality.
Reality was, I missed him. I missed him more than I’d ever missed anyone. That thing inside me that I had felt when we said good-bye was still there, only stronger and bigger now. The words were still on the tip of my tongue, frightening and overwhelming and true. I didn’t want to pretend anymore.
So I made the first move, closing the distance between us and pressing my lips to his. He only hesitated for a split second before his arms were around me, pressing me into him and returning my kiss.
When we finally broke apart, we were both out of breath. Jude held me close to him and leaned his forehead against mine, our gazes locked.
“There you are,” said a familiar voice behind me. We broke apart to find my parents watching us. Dad smiled politely while Mom looked a bit dazed. It was the first time she would meet Jude and I was nervous about it, but in the end, it didn’t matter whether she approved or not.
“Mom, this is Jude Westmore,” I said. “Jude, my mom, Marilyn Cohen.”
Jude inclined his head toward her. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Mom looked Jude over, taking in his uniform and chiseled features that stood out even more without the long hair to hide them. After a moment, she smiled. A genuine smile, not one of the forced ones she usually gave people. Even my mother wasn’t immune to Jude’s charm.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Jude,” Mom said. She stepped forward, slipping her arm through his. “We have reservations at this great restaurant that I’m sure you’ll love. I can’t wait to hear all about your time here at boot camp.”
I exchanged an amused look with Dad before we trailed after them. Mom talked on and on, and Jude nodded and commented at the appropriate times. He didn’t look uncomfortable, but I felt like I should probably butt in and save him. Besides, I wanted to have Jude all to myself for a few more moments.
A smile curled the corners of my lips as I said, “Hey, Mom, I was wondering—do you still have that wishbone tattoo?”
Mom stumbled a bit as she whirled around to face me, her eyes wide.
I laughed and then dashed forward, grabbing Jude’s hand and pulling him across the grass away from my parents and everyone else. We found a quiet spot behind a thick tree with branching that spread overhead, just like the one where Jude had always hung Liam’s shirt. I leaned against the rough bark, looking up at him.
Be honest, I reminded myself. Do what scares you.
So I took a chance on honesty and climbed to the top of the rock to do what scared me the most, but felt absolutely right. I let the words I’d held in finally out into the light.
“I love you.”
A smile spread across his face and he cupped his hand behind my neck, cradling my head as his lips moved toward mine. I felt free and alive, like I had finally found the real Hannah buried inside me.
Following the rules wasn’t so complicated after all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shana Norris is terrified of heights, but that didn’t stop her from making it to the top of Chimney Rock near Asheville, NC. She lives in eastern North Carolina with her husband and their small zoo of animals, which currently includes two dogs, five cats, and five chickens.
Visit Shana online at www.shananorris.com. Or follow her on Twitter or Facebook, or email her at shana@shananorris.com.
Join Shana’s email list to keep up-to-date on latest releases, giveaways, and more: http://eepurl.com/vPkYX
Want to know more about Hannah, Avery, and Zac? Check out The Boyfriend Thief, now available in ebook format.
Other works by Shana Norris:
Troy High
The Boyfriend Thief
Something to Blog About
Overtime: A Novella
Surfacing (Swans Landing #1)
Submerging (Swans Landing #2)
Shifting (Swans Landing #2.5)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, thank you to everyone who read The Boyfriend Thief! I loved hearing what you thought about Avery and Zac, and I knew there was more to tell in the story of these characters. I was very happy to get to see them again in this book.
Next, this book would not be what it is without the help of Laura Rae Amos, Marlene Perez, and Sandy DeLisle. Thank you so so SO much for all of your feedback!
Thank you also to everyone at the BT for all of the cheerleading, encouragement, and help with the cover and summary!
This book wouldn’t have been possible without the people down the road who hung a shirt in a tree in their yard and left it there for a few weeks, so whoever you are: THANK YOU!
As always, lots of thanks to my family and friends for the support. And of course, thank you to M.B., with love from M.N., for letting me take a chance this year.