Page 93 of Never Left You
“Really?” Stetson shouted at the same time.
“Yeah.” I cocked my shoulder up. “It will be fun.”
Stetson spun and faced Abi, his arms dropping to his side, his glare gone and a smile now spreading. “Can I!?”
“Are you sure?” Abi leaned into me; her voice low. “I don’t want him to think he’s getting away with acting like this.”
“He’ll know he’s not, and of course. One hundred percent. But we have to leave now before it gets too crowded.” I replied, not once breaking eye contact with Abi.
Her eyes twitched as a smile grew. “Crowded? Where are we going?”
“Stet.” I touched the top of his head. “Go get your boots, coat and hat. We’re going to the spring fair.”
“YES!” Stetson shouted before he took off running.
Abi watched as he bounded up the stairs. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. YouandStet? The night just got better.” I stepped forward, taking her in now that I really could. Even with the frustration that still lingered, she was still absolutely perfect. “Abi…” I reached up and lightly touched her hair between my thumb and forefinger. “You look breathtaking…”
She smiled, closing her eyes softly as she closed the gap between us.
“Wyatt, you may want to leave because I’m going to kiss your sister now.”
“Oh, please,” I heard him grumble. “If I’m off the hook, I’m heading to The Steel.”
I kissed Abi before Wyatt was out of the room, slipping my tongue in between her lips as she sighed. She placed her hands on my chest, her weight leaning into me. She hummed, breaking the kiss, her lips forming the smile I had grown to crave more and more.
“Absolutely astonishing,” I whispered against her lips.
Her eyes fluttered open. “You look handsome as well,” she whispered, still breathless. “Kiss me again.”
“As you wish.” I brushed my lips against her, teasing her slightly. “Let’s go.”
Stetson ran in front of Abi and me, taking in everything the Alpine Ridge Fair had to offer. Abi’s fingers were threaded through mine as we stepped together. It was the first night of the fair, so the crowds were thick. Stetson would turn every now and then to make sure we were still by him, not losing us for a moment. He begged for a ride on the twirl-o-whirl, where Abi and I joined him willingly. Her laughs filled the seat as themotions threw her into my side, her hand gripping onto my thighs.
“The Ferris wheel next!!” Stetson screamed once we were stumbling off the ride. “Please!”
“Stetson,” Abi laughed. “You gotta let me catch my bearings. I’m not twenty anymore.”
“Come on, Mom!” he shouted as he waved us along.
“We’re coming, Stet, we’re coming.” I hollered back.
“Funnel cakes!!” Stetson screamed, his trajectory changing once he saw the food truck.
“And he’s forgotten about the Ferris wheel. Do you regret inviting him along?” Abi asked, her body pressing into mine as she wrapped her hands around my arm.
“Not even a little bit.” I kissed the top of her head. “This may not be the date I envisioned, but I wouldn’t change it in the slightest.”
“Hmm.” Abi leaned her chin on my shoulder. “He’ll hopefully crash after this.”
I laughed, leading Abi towards the funnel cakes.
“Dates are supposed to be sitting in a low light restaurant, eating cheap-yet-expensive Italian food while we talk about our favorite things and colors and what we like to do during our free time.” Abi smiled.
“Well, for one…” I gave her a smirk. “You don’t like cheap-yet-expensive Italian food. You prefer corn on the cob with a grilled hamburger. Your favorite things include Stetson, the stables, and long rides ending with a nap by the lake. Your favorite color is purple, and in your free time…” I stopped her and pulled her into me. “You spend it with Luna.”
“I do love that horse.” She smiled. “It’s been five years, and you still know those things about me. I hate to admit that I don’t know those things about you.” She clenched herteeth and hunched her shoulders slightly, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
