“I can’t shake the feeling that I didn’t try hard enough out there. That I failed somehow by ending up back here, and to succeed I’ll have to leave again. But I’m getting to place where,” the realization is sudden and aggressive, “I don’t want to go.”
Jake’s unbothered smile is back. “I don’t think you failed. I like to think we’re in exactly the right place right now.”
“Even if that has some painful consequence?” I ask.
Jake’s warm hand surrounds mine and squeezes. “Even so.”
I grin and pull my hand away to tuck some curls behind my ear. The longer Jake looks at me, the hotter my cheeks get.
And I’m not alone in that. A dusty rose color comes to Jake’s cheeks too. “I’d kiss you, Darcy, but I think your entire family is watching.”
I honk a laugh and scrunch my nose. “They absolutely are. Normally, I’d let them see. I’m a grown adult. I’m allowed to kiss who I want.”
Jake draws closer, his lips hovering where he can murmur in my ear. “Why aren’t you then?”
I smirk. “Because you’re still on probation.”
“What?” he gasps. “We just had this nice talk, Darcy!”
“Shouldn’t have cheated at baseball, cowboy.”
His jaw falls open. “This is outrageous and offensive. I didn’t cheat.”
I flip some water at him with my toe.
“Hey! This is bullshit!” he argues. “I hope you’re ready to get wet, boss. I’ve got bigger feet and longer legs.”
I squeal and jump up, grabbing my boots and running down the dock.
Jake’s on my heels in seconds, catching me by the waist like he did while we played baseball. I thrash against him, refusing to accept defeat. “I’ll throw you in that pond,” he says calmly in my ear. “Unless you call a truce.”
“Truce!” I shout when he digs his fingertips into my side.
“So you admit I did nothing wrong,” he says as he sets me down. I feel wild looking up at him, knowing my hair’s everywhere and I’m flushed all to hell.
“I didn’t say that. I said ‘truce,’” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Does truce mean I get my kiss now?”
I stop, his hands swallowing up my waist. I lick my lips and smile up at him, my arms looped behind his neck. He’s got me all wrapped up, his muscle pressing against me the ultimate security. His touch says he’s got me, even if he’s being a bit of a scamp. Just yesterday, I doubted whether Jake was safe for me. Now I can tell he is.
There’s something really wonderful about that.
Our faces inch closer together, and I could pass out from the affection in his eyes.
And yet, it’s time he got a little pestering back.
I kiss the tip of his nose. “Still on probation, cowboy.”
A tiny “no” escapes him as I leave his grasp, his fingers reaching for me. I peek back at him over my shoulder, catching how annoyed he’s pretending to be. “Hope I can get back in your good graces someday, boss.”
THIRTY-SIX
DARCY
Night has settled in,and everything about the evening is beautiful. I’m sitting on a blanket with Jake, Becca, and Brianna, all of us occasionally joining in singing the campfire songs.
Becca’s got her head in Bri’s lap, and Bri strokes her hair. I know what they’re doing is just fun for this weekend, but it’s sweet nonetheless.
