“You don’t have to say anything back. I just need you to know that I am falling for you,” he says softly.
“Falling for me,” I breathe out as my eyes lock on his.
“Yes.”
I reach forward, cupping his face, and kiss him tenderly. Pulling away, I open my mouth to say something,anything,but he speaks first.
“Let’s get ready and head to town,” he says, his face falling.
“Everett…I…”
Guilt overwhelms me. I should say something. I should tell him I’m starting to fall for him too, but like a coward, I don’t.
“It’s really okay.” He shakes his head and moves from the bed.
As I move through the motions of getting dressed, I silently reprimand myself for not having the courage to say what I should have, but the fear that this still isn’t real, and he doesn’t actually mean what he said, consumes me.
Chapter 33: We Can’t Lose
Everett
Since this morning, today has felt like it’s running away from me. I have no idea where the time has gone, and I can’t shake the feeling that I fucked up when I told Claire how I was feeling.
When we got to town, we were stopped no less than half a dozen times by people wanting to catch up and see how we were doing. We opted to have brunch at Stella’s, but it was very crowded and the service was extremely slow, probably because Ruth couldn’t help but gossip with us and everyone else about some big development with Chip and Lolly and what that could mean for their blossoming romance. After we left the diner, we were stopped some more and cornered by Rusty, Ginger’s husband, who was asking for advice on how to help the boys train for hockey.
Claire mostly just smiled and nodded along with everyone, but other than some small talk here and there, she’s been quiet since we left the house. I wish she would talk to me, let me inside her head, but I also don’t want to prod too hard and risk pushing her away.
I realize admitting that I’m falling in love with her after a few short days probably sounded crazy, but the opportunity to tell her how I was feeling presented itself, and I couldn’t imagine saying anything else, even if she doesn’t feel the same way about me.
Looking down at my watch, I exhale. Today was supposed to go so differently. It’s after three, and all I’ve managed to do is scare her away from me.
Walking together toward the rink, we find a nearby bench, and Ilace up my skates. Glancing over at Claire, I find she’s staring off into space, still wearing her boots.
“Need help with your skates?” I offer.
“Sure,” she says, moving the pair of ice skates we found at the house into my reach, but continuing to look off into the distance. Kneeling before her, I carefully remove her boot and hold the skate steady as she pushes her foot inside. I take my time lacing them, then move to the other, completing the same steps.
I help her stand, and we step on to the slick surface together. Her legs wobble a little, and she lets out a nervous giggle as I grab both of her hands.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask. “You’ve been nearly silent all day. If I fucked up this morning, I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” she questions, finding my eyes. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting you to say all of that back at the house, and I let my fears kind of take over, and then we came to town, and this is the first time all day that I’ve felt like we’re alone.”
“What fears?”
“If I’m honest, I feel myself beginning to fall for you too…”
My heart leaps in my chest. Damn, that feels good to hear.
“But…”
Fuck, of course there’s a but.
“Um,” she continues. “I keep finding myself wondering if the events here are actually real. Like what if you think you’re falling in love with me, but it’s because you’re under some sort of spell. What if this is all just a dream, and tomorrow we wake up with no memory of this place?”
“Then I hope I never wake up, Sugar.”
“You don’t mean that,” she says.
