Riley found her sweater and pulled it back on. The barn was already getting noticeably colder without the heater. "Do you need help?"
"No, I—" Grant stopped, then pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "Thank you. But you should go home before it gets too cold in here. And before the driveway gets icy because the lot lights are out."
Riley wanted to argue, wanted to stay, but she could already see her breath in the air. "You sure?"
"I'm sure."
They climbed down the ladder carefully in the darkness, Grant's phone providing just enough light. At her car, they stood in the cold, neither quite ready to say goodnight.
"Well," Riley said finally. "Maybe that was for the best."
"The power going out?"
"Yeah. We were getting pretty carried away."
"We were." Grant's hand found her waist. "You really think it was for the best?"
"No," Riley admitted. "Not even a little bit."
"Me either."
"But maybe we needed to slow down. Think about what we're doing."
Grant's laugh was rough. "I've thought about nothing else."
"Grant—"
"I know. I know." He kissed her forehead. "You should go before you freeze."
"Yeah." Riley didn't move. "Thanks for tonight. Even with the interruptions."
"Anytime."
"I'll see you around?"
"Tomorrow morning. Coffee. If you want."
Riley smiled despite her frustration. "I want."
She drove home with her body still humming with want and her mind spinning with everything that almost happened.
When she got home, her phone buzzed.
Grant: Power's back on. Tripped breaker.
Riley: That's good.
Grant: Yeah. Fixed now.
Riley: Good timing on it breaking then.
Grant: Was it though?
Riley stared at the message, her heart racing.
Riley: I don't know. Maybe.
Grant: Riley.
