Nettie was in such a state of shock that at first she didn't hear the bell over the pounding of her heart. When Eli said he had to go, she nodded absently and spent a moment sorting out what had happened. He paused at the door. Looking even more heart-shatteringly handsome than usual.

"Tell me yes, Nettie. I don't want to go while this is hanging in the air."

Time to grow up and be a big girl, Net. She walked over to him at the door and kissed him hard on the lips. ...