The Season of Falling

32. Chapter 32

Chapter thirty-two

Kasey

Things weren’t perfect, but they were getting better. I had finally agreed and let Kendra help me find a therapist, and it was helping. I was working through the feelings of hurt and anger towards my dad and Charlotte. It was a slow process, but it was good. And even though I was still annoyed at Kendra for getting me into the whole Dating Debacle mess in the first place, I was grateful for her as well. Because without her interference, Dean and I might have never set our shields aside and given ourselves a real chance.

“It’s just two little words,” Kendra sing-songed on the phone. “It’s not hard at all.”

I rolled my eyes and flopped down onto my couch. “I’m not going to thank you for almost ruining my friendship with Dean.”

“Except it wasn’t ruined. It got even better. You wouldn’t know what it feels like to hold his hand or go on cute dates, or kiss him…” She trailed off, and I could hear the smirk in her voice. “And it’s all thanks to me.”

“You cannot take all the credit for it.” I scoffed, but I was holding back a laugh. “Either Dean or I could have called it off at any second.”

“But you wouldn’t have even gotten to that point without me. Admit it!”

“Fine, I admit that you had a small hand in it. So…thank you for that, I guess,” I said grudgingly, but I knew she could hear the smile in my voice. She cheered on the other end, and I rolled my eyes again. I sat up and scooted into my favorite spot in the corner of the couch, pulling a big green blanket with me.

“Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Kendra sighed dreamily. “It all turned out better than I could have imagined. You and Dean are perfect together, and it’s even better than the movies because it’s real.” She sighed again. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, sis,” I said with a smile. “Oh, Ro and Hazel are calling. I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later. Have a good week!” We quickly said goodbye, and I switched over to the video call.

“Hey, girl.” Ro exclaimed. “How are you?”

“Hey, guys.” I smiled at my friends and tucked the blanket up closer around me. “I’m doing better. It’s all a slow process, but it’s good.”

“How’s Kendra doing?” Hazel asked, concern in her voice.

“She’s doing pretty good too. And she has her classes to keep her busy, which always helps.” Kendra had told me all about the projects she had coming up and plans with her friends. I was happy that she had so many good things to focus on. I reached over and grabbed my water bottle from the table next to the couch.

“And what about Dean?” Ro asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

I laughed. “He's doing good, too. He’s been going in to work every day and getting ready to take on his full time load of classes again in January.” That wasn’t exactly what she’d meant, but I enjoyed pushing her buttons from time to time.

Ro rolled her eyes while Hazel snickered. “Okay, how about you and Dean? You know, as a couple.”

I’d kept my friends updated on what was happening, but I hadn’t given them the full detailed report. So I snuggled deeper into my blanket and told them everything. They oohed and ahhed in all the right places, and Ro even applauded when I got to the end.

“That was beautiful,” she said, wiping a pretend tear from her eye. Hazel and I just shook our heads in amusement.

“Okay, enough about me.” I said, letting my head fall back against the cushions. “How are you guys?”

Hazel spoke first. “I’m still thinking about going abroad to get my masters, but I haven’t made any decisions yet. I’m at a good place in my job so it’s a tough call.” Ro and I nodded. Hazel had been talking about getting her masters degree out of the country ever since our trip to Europe after graduation. Even though it would mean we’d be even further apart, I kept hoping she’d go for it. I knew she’d love it.

“Yes. You got this, Hazel.” Ro exclaimed.

“Definitely,” I agreed. “I can’t wait to see where you go for it.”

We talked about a few of the schools in Portugal and Italy that she’d been considering before she waved the topic aside.

“What about you, Ro? Anything new?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I’m fine.” Ro was never just fine, and we both waited in silence for her to continue. “I’m just bored out of my mind. I’m not using my degree, and I feel like I’m wasting the best years of my life.” She suddenly stood from where she’d been lounging on her bed and started pacing. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but it’s going to be something good, you can count on that.”

Ro was never content to sit still or spend her time doing anything that she didn’t feel was useful or fulfilling. Whatever she decided to do, it was going to be big and exciting. We spent a few more minutes talking before Ro and Hazel both had to go. After we said our goodbyes I sighed contentedly, happy to have such good friends.

I sat there snuggled on the couch and wondered what I would do with the rest of my evening. Maybe I could see if Dean wanted to hang out.

Me : What are you doing right now?

I barely turned my phone off when a knock came at the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and I wrapped my blanket around my shoulders as I went to the door and pulled it open. My smile was almost too big for my face when I looked out and saw Dean standing there.

“I’m coming to see you,” he said with the grin that put his dimples on full display.

“It’s like you read my mind before I even had the thought.”

He laughed and stepped inside, pulling the door closed behind him. “I wanted to see you. It’s been too long.”

“It was yesterday,” I said and wrapped my arms around his waist. “But I missed you, too.”

He sighed deeply, like he hadn’t taken a full breath since the last time we’d been together, and held me tight, even with the large blanket around me.

I felt him kiss the top of my head before he spoke. “I wanted to go on one last walk down by the lake before all the leaves fell, but I went over there first, and sadly, the trees are pretty much bare. I know that would be your first choice, but any other preference for how to spend the evening?”

I smiled even though he couldn’t see it with my cheek still pressed against his chest. It wasn’t a secret that autumn and the beautiful colors were my favorite time of the year, but he’d gone out of his way to see if the leaves were even still there before coming to my house. I loved this man and couldn’t think of a single place I’d rather be at that moment.

“Maybe we could just stay in and watch a movie?” I stepped back and readjusted the blanket on my shoulders as I headed back toward the living room. When I didn’t hear Dean following, I turned back and found him watching me with a small smile on his lips. “What?”

“You look so cute and cozy like that,” he said. “I think snuggling up and watching a movie is the perfect idea.”

I laughed and reached back for his hand.

As we sat on the couch, my head resting on his chest and our feet tangled together, I couldn’t remember being happier. Our path to get to this moment had been long and bumpy, but we’d made it. I still had fears and uncertainties, and of course the future was never set in stone, but I wasn’t going to let those things dictate my life. I knew what I wanted, and he was sitting right next to me, playing with my hair and brushing the occasional kiss to my forehead or cheek.

I snuggled closer to Dean, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “I love you,” I whispered softly. The smile that lit up his features was beautiful and made warmth spread through me.

He pressed a warm and lingering kiss to my lips, a look of tenderness in his eyes when he pulled back. “I love you too, Kasey. And no matter what happens or how the seasons change, I always will.”