“I should clean up and head home,” I murmur.“Mom’s waiting for me.”
Adrian nods, his hands gripping my waist before I finally force myself to slide off him.
We tidy up; the car fogged, still smelling like us.
I pull on my jeans.He tucks himself back in, adjusting his clothes.
“When will I see you again?”he asks, voice still a little rough.
I smile.“I don’t know, but I’ll definitely try to squeeze you in again.”
He grabs me.“Funny.”
I lean in one last time.He cups the back of my head, his lips claiming mine, like he doesn’t want me to go just yet.
And neither do I.But I have to.
Chapter 24
Adrian
It’sbeenaweekand a half since I’ve seen her.Work has been hectic, and she’s had family stuff going on after work.The texts help, but they’re not enough… not even close.I need to see her face, hear her laugh, feel her next to me.
We agreed to meet at our spot, and since then, I’ve been thinking about her all the time, counting down the days, the hours, the damn minutes until I see her again.
I pull into town early, parking outside Genevieve’s.The Cozy Point is warm and buzzing with people, and I swear each time I walk in here that the smell of coffee and butter take over my senses.
Heading straight for the counter, I order her favorite pie, two coffees, and a few extra things I know Amelia likes.Genevieve gives me a look as she hands me the cups.I pretend not to notice.She probably assumes the second coffee is for Keith.I try not to overthink it.But it’s hard when every little detail feels like a secret I’m holding too tightly.If she gets this promotion, I want to stop hiding.I’d want her.Openly.
The drive to our spot is a blur.When I get there, I park near the bridge and take a deep breath, my pulse already picking up.The air is crisp, the kind that bites at my skin, but I barely feel it.If anything, I’m sweating.
I grab the small vase I borrowed from Keith’s place, then search along the creek for wildflowers.It’s not much, but it’s something to show I care.I set up the food on the table near the bridge, out of full view, because I know we won’t kiss if someone could see.I lay out a blanket, ready to cover her legs with, arrange the food, and place the vase in the center.Then I wait.
The time we fucked in the car has shifted something between us: the way she looked at me, and felt in my arms, was different.But I need to know where her head is at, need to understand what this is becoming.Because for me, it’s not casual anymore.I’m starting to have strong feelings for her, and I’m hoping she feels the same.
I can’t see the road from here, so I listen instead.The crunch of tires on gravel.A car door shutting.Light footsteps.My chest tightens.It’s her.
I get up, brushing the dirt off my pants, adjusting my coat, running a hand through my hair.
She’s wearing a cream cable-knit sweater and jeans today.A caramel coat wraps around her shoulders, her hair pinned half-up, two strands around her face slipping free in the wind.She looks breathtaking.Like something out of a dream.
She smiles when she sees me.I smile back.
“Hi.”
“Hi, Trouble.”I step forward, hands naturally finding her waist, pulling her in before she can react.I kiss her like I’ve been starving for it.Because I have.She melts against me, her fingers gripping my coat, her body fitting against mine like she belongs there.
I want more.But not today.Today is about something else.
I pull back, brushing my thumb against her cheek.“Come here.”
She follows as I grab her hand, letting me guide her to the table.I take her handbag, setting it aside, watching as her eyes widen at the setup.Then I lay the blanket over her legs.
“Oh my gosh,” she breathes.“This is gorgeous.”
“Thanks for coming.”I hesitate, searching her face.“I missed you.”
A slow smile curves her lips.“I missed you too.”
