I end up beside Clara, who’s nursing under a cover, chatting about Jackson’s latest escapade with trying to bond with Hannah, their baby girl.I look up to see the little guy chatting up his hockey heroes, getting their signatures on his jersey.The table feels alive, hands passing plates, stories overlapping, laughter that fills all the empty spaces.
People ask how I am feeling and whether it was hard to get back to work.
For a while, I let myself justbe.
The noise, the warmth, the light catching in the Mason jars, it’s everything I ever loved about small towns and everything I never thought I would have.
Cassidy is glowing, and Brody can't keep his hands off her belly.
Nate finds me again, sliding into the seat beside me.His thigh brushes mine.Every so often, he leans in to steal a kiss, a brush at my cheek, a whisper at my ear.The crowd cheers for the music starting up near the barn, and someone calls out for a dance.
He stands, holds out his hand.“Come on.”
I let him pull me up, heart thudding.
The band plays slowly, and he draws me in close.His hand settles at the small of my back, and I can feel his breath against my temple.
“I could get used to this,” he murmurs.
I tilt my head, smiling.“Me too.”
The hand that was on my back moves up into my hair, and then his mouth is on mine, deep, claiming, unhurried.The kind of kiss that doesn’t care who’s watching.
The kind of kiss that screamsMINE.
When he pulls back, the look in his eyes is so intense I stumble a step.He doesn't let me fall; he holds me up as if nothing happened.
"Just go with it."He whispers in my ear.
"What?"I barely get out.
"This.Us.Don't fight it.I see that big, beautiful brain working in overdrive when you look at me.That is not the look I want to see."
"What look do you want to see?"I whisper.
He doesn't answer.I don't think he needs to.He pulls me flush with him.Nuzzles into my neck, and I realize I am completely screwed.It's not so much of a dive as it is a belly flop.But the truth is, I am falling, and it's terrifying.
By the end of the night, when the tables are half empty and the music’s slowed to a hum, Nate takes my hand again.“Let me drive you home.”
The ride is quiet, windows down, summer air thick with lilac and dust.
On my porch, under the soft glow, he stops, fingers trailing my jaw.
“I want to see you this week,” he says, voice rough.“Doesn’t matter when.Even if it’s just between jobs.”
“Careful,” I whisper.“You might start sounding serious.”
He smirks, leaning in, his breath brushing my lips.“Tessa, I am.”
And then he kisses me again, slower this time, softer.Like a promise.Like something worth breaking for.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine.“Get some sleep, Tessa.”
“Goodnight, Nate.”
I stay there long after his Bronco disappears, the taste of him still on my lips, the summer night wrapped around me like a secret I don’t want to let go.
Chapter 21 - Tessa
