Keeping Jessa as comfortable as I can, I pull out the letter in my backpack. I’ve been hanging onto it for a while, not knowing when I should open it. Unceremoniously I rip the letter labeled Love open because it’s time I hear what my mom has to say. With Lizzy, I almost opened it plenty of times, but something always held me back. With Jessa, on the other hand, I know I’m supposed to open it.

Dear Grant,

Finally! As a mother, this is the best letter I get to write you. It means you found someone worth opening this letter for. Believe me, I’m smiling down on you now. I’m sure I realized you loved her before you realized it yourself.

You opened this letter for my advice, right? Here are the simple things, which if I raised you right, you already do. Treat her right, open doors for her, always follow her into a room, and tell her how beautiful she is every moment you think it. Make her feel as special as she is to you. Respect her, value her opinion, and listen to her suggestions. Kiss her goodnight every night and again when you wake up. Never take her for granted and cherish every second you have with her. If you do these small things, she’ll never look to another to fulfill her needs.

Don’t worry about the future, concentrate on the present. If you live in the future or the past, you’ll be unable to enjoy what’s going on right now. Treasure your moments together, making the most of every situation. Enjoy the ride, Grant, because if you do it right, the lows are worth all the highs.

Love her with everything inside you. Never hold back. Congratulations, sweetheart, love is the most precious gift you can give someone and that you can receive.

Love,

Mom

XOXO

I stuff it in my backpack and wrap my arms around Jessa. She sighs softly, nudging her head in the crook of my neck. Resting my head on hers, I fall asleep until the pilot announces our descent into Denver. I bend my head over Jessa’s and kiss her lips.

“That’s a nice way to wake up,” she says groggily. “I’m sorry I slept the whole way, I’ve been so tired.” She yawns, stretching her arms up and pushing her breasts out.

“Well, we haven’t been sleeping much the last week. I have to say though, I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t join the mile-high club.” I reach over, discreetly grab her breast, and she gives me a look that is supposed to appear reproachful, but the smirk she can’t hide shows me she enjoys it.

“I promise, on the way home.” She turns into me, kissing me firmly on the lips and ensuring that my hands remain hidden to freely grope her. “This is nice though,” she murmurs.

When we finally separate from one another, I notice the middle-aged man next to Jessa admiring the show we’re putting on. Narrowing my eyes at him, I quickly put my arm around her to signify she’s mine.

We all depart the plane and make our way to baggage claim, where Trey and Dex are still talking the girl’s ear off. I have to admit, it appears she’s more into Trey. She must like the bad boy image. Although most of his tattoos are covered with clothes right now, the ones on his neck are visible, as well as the piercings and plugs in his ears, so I’m sure it doesn’t take too much imagination as to what the rest of him must look like.

“Hey guys, this is Kailey. She goes to Western, but is here visiting her family,” Trey says by way of introduction. She’s a cute brunette, not Trey’s usual type.

“Hi, Kailey, where’s your family from?” Jessa eagerly asks.

“It’s my aunt and uncle, and they live in Breckenridge.” Her voice is quiet and shy.

“That’s where we’re going,” Jessa exclaims. “Do you want to hitch a ride with us?” she asks.

“Yeah, it’s no problem. We’re getting a van,” Trey chimes in. I notice Dex has given up pursuing Kailey and is standing by the conveyer belt waiting for his luggage. I guess he realized that it was a lost cause too.

“Um…” Kailey hesitates, “I was going to rent a car, but okay.”

“Great, let’s get your luggage,” Trey says and grabs her hand, leading her to the baggage claim.

“This seems like trouble,” I whisper to Jessa.

“Why? She seems nice.” She hooks her arm through mine and we follow everyone over to the conveyor belt.

“Yeah, that’s the point. She’s nice and Trey doesn’t stay interested in nice very long,” I tell her and she gives an understanding smile.

Once everyone has their luggage, the guys and I head over to the car rental place. Brady reserved it in advance, so he gives them his information and we all remind him that we’ll pay him back.

“I know you guys are good for it,” he tells us as we walk back out to the girls. “Plus,” he jokes, “I know where you all live.”

When we return from the car rental desk, the three girls are laughing and talking like they’ve been friends forever. Kailey’s quiet demeanor in front of the guys is the opposite of the way she is with the girls. She seems to be leading the conversation between them, which is saying a lot considering who she’s talking to. Usually when I’m with the two of them together, I just sit and listen as they finish one another’s sentences.

“Ready, baby?” Brady asks Sadie, and she stands up, whispering something in his ear. He laughs and smacks her ass.

“Brady Carsen, you better watch those hands,” she remarks.

“I’ll watch them alright. Later tonight, I’ll be watching them move all over your body,” he says and Sadie turns bright red.

“No one wants to hear about your missionary sex life,” Jessa jokes.

“Hey, missionary done right is better than from behind,” Sadie returns, turning around to Jessa.

“Not like we would know,” Brady finishes, and we all crack up as Sadie playfully smacks his stomach.

Arguing about which minivan to pick, it’s finally decided that we’ll take a blue one. Brady climbs in the driver’s seat and Sadie takes the passenger side. Jessa and I sit in the second row, with Dex, Trey, and Kailey in the back. Our luggage barely fits in the back, so some bags are squeezed in around our feet.

“It’s like they’re the married couple and we’re their kids,” Dex chuckles and Brady flips him off.

The energy in the van is easy-going and fun, even with our impromptu guest. Kailey and Trey can’t stop talking to one another, and Dex’s sighs become louder with each of Kailey’s giggles. While Brady drives, Sadie fiddles with the radio. Jessa and I look out the windows as the van heads toward the mountains. This feeling of togetherness is comforting, and it’s almost as though we’re a family.

Jessa

I love my friends, especially the way they’ve been able to keep me distracted so far. Once the plane took off, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Grant has no idea that I was up half the night, debating on whether or not to even come home. I’ve pushed the feelings of what happened with Jason so far down, you would think it would be blocked from my memory by now. When we touched down and the pilot said “Welcome to Denver…,” it took everything I had not to beg Grant to take me back to Western. For some reason, having him by my side makes me stronger.

I wish I would’ve gone to Western to begin with, but like my dad always says, ‘You’re past makes you who you are’. As Grant grabs my hand, leading us to the rental car, I smile up to him and he grins back. This boy has the possibility to break my heart so much more than Jason ever did. Looking back at Jason and me, I know now that what we had wasn’t love. It wasn’t anything close to what I have with Grant.

They load our bags in the back. Dex and Trey climb into the back, with Kailey stuck in the middle. I feel bad for the poor girl the way they’re fighting for her, like she’s the last piece of cake at a birthday party. Although it does seem that Dex is slowly accepting defeat. From the conversation Sadie and I had with her while the guys were getting the rental car, I know Kailey’s more into Trey, based on the questions she asked us.