People are staring and snickering. Ginny’s cheeks go red with embarrassment, but she nods. “Of course I will. I’d skip food for you too.”

I jump down and kiss her again, then pull back so my forehead rests against hers. “I had no idea it was ever unclear that you were my girlfriend. I’ve always thought of you as my girl. I’m sorry that I left any room for doubt, but I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll stand on this table and ask every day if you want me to.”

“I’ll consider that. Could be entertaining.” She laces her fingers with mine. “Speaking of food though, is that for me?” She tips her head to the bowl of ice cream.

I push the tray toward her, a huge bowl of Neapolitan ice cream topped with gummy bears.

“That is a lot of gummy bears. How did you get ice cream at this hour?”

“I know people.”

Her gorgeous smile will be the death of me. She picks up the spoon and brings a big bite to my lips. I take it and then kiss her again.

Maverick appears at the table. “Awww, look at you two, all smiles.” He drops his tray and then drapes an arm around each of our shoulders. “Bring it in, you two crazy kids. I’m so dang happy I could cry. Way to go big, buddy.” He nudges me with an elbow and then squeezes Ginny into his massive frame. “I love you two.”

And I know he does. Whatever it means to him, he means it with his whole heart. It’s freeing to know I get to make it mean whatever I want to, too.

“Love you too, Mav,” I tell him.

He gives me a toothy grin. “Damn straight.”

41

GINNY

One week later

“I have to go to class, I’m going to be late,” I protest, but make no move to actually go anywhere. Heath’s arms are wrapped around me and I nuzzle into his chest, stealing some of his warmth. “It’s so cold.”

“This isn’t cold.”

“It’s like forty degrees outside.”

“Like I said, this isn’t cold. Wait until you come to Michigan sometime in the winter. You’ll need real winter clothes, not these cute accessories you have.” He pulls my beanie down farther, so it completely covers my ears.

“It would be fun to see snow. It almost never snows here and when it does, it’s gone too quickly to appreciate it.”

Another chilly breeze whips through campus and I shiver.

“Come on, baby doll,” he says. “Let’s get you to class where it’s warm.”

As we’re crossing to the humanities building, a guy headed toward us slows and a big smile tips up his lips. Heath stops, as does the guy.

“Heath, hey.”

“Wes!” Heath steps forward and they hug.