Free Until Then (Cornerstone Book 2) by Krista Noorman Page A

shouldn’t have said that.” He tilted his head in an attempt to regain her attention.
    She glanced his way. “It’s the truth, though.”
    “I could have stopped.” He stared out at the lake. “I should have. But we can’t take it back.”
    “I’m so sorry, Sean.” Her chin quivered. “I’m sorry I took something from you, something so special that you can’t ever get back. Can you ever forgive me for that?”
    He reached out and touched her chin, turning her face toward his. “Hey, it’s OK. I forgive you.”
    The tears let loose then, and he wrapped her in his arms. He softly rubbed his hands up and down her back as she cried, and she wanted to stay there forever.
    When he eventually released her from his embrace, she wiped her tears on the edge of the blanket.
    “Michelle, I shouldn’t have lied to you. I shouldn’t have misled you like that. I hope you can forgive me, too.”
    She leaned her head on his shoulder, and he lowered his to rest against hers. “Of course, I can. A few months ago, even a few days ago, I might not have been able to say that. But if God can forgive me for all the horrible things I’ve done, then I can forgive you for this.”
    He lifted his head and looked at her.
    A stray tear fell down her cheek, and she shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “I got saved this weekend.”
    He abruptly hugged her. “That’s so awesome, Michelle.”
    “Thank you.”
    As he let go, he kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family.” He wore a huge smile.
    “Huh?”
    “The family of Christ. You’re one of us now,” he said with a wink.
    She grinned. “I like that.”
    Sean grabbed two water bottles and a couple napkins from the picnic basket and handed one of each to Michelle.
    “Thanks.” She dabbed her eyes with the napkin and crinkled it up.
    “You might wanna hold onto that. There’s something else I need to tell you.” He took a big swig from the water bottle.
    She waited for what felt like bad news.
    He set the bottle down and cleared his throat. “I’m not coming back after winter break.”
    “What? Why not?” Her response nearly caught in her throat.
    “When I chose Cornerstone for my basketball scholarship, I agreed to represent this school and all they stand for. I agreed to the rules. All of the rules.”
    “Sean.” This was worse than anything she could have imagined.
    “But I broke one. A big one. And I’m going to speak to the dean this week and admit what I did.”
    “No. You don’t have to do that,” she pleaded. “Maggie and Emma will never tell. Nobody else knows about us. And I’ll never say a word. I promise.”
    “Yeah, but I will know, and the guilt will eat me alive.”
    Tears again? She was sure her eyes would be swollen shut by morning at this rate. Desperation, panic, and fear caused a million thoughts to fly through her mind as she tried to concoct a way to keep him there.
    “I just wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” His bottom lip stuck out in an adorable pout.
    He truly was a good and honorable guy, and now he was leaving. Just when she was starting to get her own life figured out and things were right between them.
    “What will your parents say?” she asked.
    “They already know.”
    “I’m gonna miss you.” Her voice was quiet. She couldn’t believe he was leaving. Now that the communication lines were open again, she didn’t want this to be the end.
    He took her face in his hands. “I’m gonna miss you more than you will ever know.”
    “I wish we could go back and start over at the beginning of the semester, do everything differently.”
    “Me, too. But maybe it’s for the best.”
    How could him leaving possibly be for the best? Her puzzled expression demanded an explanation.
    “Hey, if things had been different, you might not have gotten saved.”
    “Maybe. But I don’t want you to leave.”
    “I know.” He let go of her face and took another sip from the water bottle.
    “And you should know this about