“You’re a dream,” he says as we get dressed.
I grin, my body still tingling with aftershocks of having him exactly how I wanted him. “And you’re a fantasy.”
The clouds cast shadows on the orchard as we gather the picnic supplies. We’re both aware that we’ve crossed a line we can’t uncross.
“Stay with me tonight?” I ask.
“I’d love to,” he says. “I want to wake up with you in my arms tomorrow.”
Butterflies flutter inside me. “I want that too.”
As we drive back, I keep glancing at him, at our joined hands, thinking about what just happened.
It was a claim. A promise. A beginning to something that feels bigger than both of us. And we both know it.
“Something just changed,” I whisper. My head is still screaming that six days is too fast; my heart is whispering that maybe time doesn’t matter when you find your person.
“Everything did,” he says. “But we have time. I’m not going anywhere.”
As we drive on the outskirts of Cozy Creek, Nick glances at me. “We should stop at the cabin,” he says. “I need to grab some things if I’m staying with you.”
“Sure. You can turn up here on this road. It connects,” I tell him.
Six minutes later, we pull up to Riverside, and Patterson’s rental car is there.
Nick kisses my fingers. “Come in with me?”
I nod.
Inside, Patterson is sprawled on the couch, playing on his phone.
“There you are!” He sits upright when he sees Nick. “Dude, I’ve been texting you all day.”
“I was busy. Visited the orchard,” Nick says, and then I step into view.
Patterson’s eyes land on me, taking in my messy hair, swollen lips, and the way Nick’s hand rests possessively on my lower back.
A knowing grin spreads across his face.
“Yeah?” He waggles his eyebrows. “How ’bout them apples?”
“Patterson,” Nick says, rolling his eyes. “Grow up.”
My cheeks burn.
“Oh, I’m staying at Julie’s tonight.”
“Great! I’m having a party and inviting all the local single ladies,” Patterson says with a laugh.
“No parties, please. The woman who rented to me lives two houses down, and she’s watching the place, trust me.”
He stands up, moves to the kitchen, and opens the fridge. “I’ll invite her in to hang out with us.”
“I’ll be right back,” Nick says, disappearing upstairs to pack a bag, leaving me alone with Patterson.
“You’re good for him,” Patterson says, his tone serious. The flirty, suave attitude is gone. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Wait, you can just turn it off like that?”
