Page 88 of Breaking the Ice

“Well, we do have tickets to something tomorrow tonight. Other than that, I have a few suggestions, but you get to pick.”

“Gimme all the ideas.”

“We have to drive to our destination tomorrow, but there are a lot of things within walking distance.” I tick off points on my fingers. “Amazing restaurants, the Country Music Hall of Fame, a cool comedy club, the Grand Ole Opry, the Johnny Cash Museum. Even if country music isn’t your thing, it could be fun.”

He grins. “Yes. Let’s do it all.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “We can sure try.”

We grab a late lunch at Hattie B’s and then tour the Johnny Cash Museum. While I’m not the biggest fan, he’s an inspiring musician and his love story is beautiful. Evan makes me laugh by singing “Ring of Fire” under his breath the entire time and butchering the low notes. He keeps his fingers laced through mine as we check out the exhibits, and my heart beats with the rightness of it.

I want this. I want him. All the time and forever.

We stop to look at one of the guitars behind glass and the words are on the tip of my tongue. I love you. Let’s stay married.

That’s part of the reason I brought him on this trip. To get away from everything in Lafayette and tell him how I feel. Without the tension from our families or the university putting a strain on our decisions. But a brick storefront building surrounded by outfits worn by Johnny Cash isn’t the right place. It needs to be romantic—maybe at dinner later. Or in bed tonight where it’s private.

I swallow down my speech and move on. I’m sure the perfect moment will reveal itself. I can wait until then.

Chapter

Forty-Two

EVAN

Jonas: I thought I’d see you in the weight room this morning. You okay?

Evan: Isabella surprised me with a birthday trip to Nashville!

Jonas: That’s awesome. Have a blast.

Evan: But don’t worry, I’m ready for Regionals.

Jonas: We’re gonna dominate.

Evan: No doubt.

Isabella’s birthday surprise is amazing. The guys would always take me out for my birthday, but no one has ever done anything like this for me before. It just keeps getting better.

After a day and half wandering around Nashville, she takes me back to our Airbnb and thrusts a gift-wrapped garment box into my hands.

A tiny smile hovers around the corners of her mouth. “Open it.”

I tear off the paper and separate the two half of the flimsy white box with a gasp.

“A new Red Wings jersey?” Holding it up, I turn it over to check. Larkin, number seventy-seven. “My favorite player.”

Smooshing the shirt between us, I crush Isabella to me in a hug. “Thank you, this is amazing.”

She giggles and takes a step back, pulling something from her pocket. “That’s not all.”

She hands me two tickets, and I scan the details. “Red Wings-Predators tonight?”

“Yep. I thought you needed the right gear to wear, though.”

I toss the tickets on the floor and pull her to me, covering her face with kisses.

“You’re amazing,” I say between breaths. “I don’t deserve this.”