By the time we reach the central path, we’re both panting hard. We slow our pace and then stop completely when we reach the lawn in front of the main house. Both of us bend over, our hands on our knees as we slow down our breathing.
“You don’t take many breaks when you run, do you?” I ask her when I can breathe long enough to string together words.
Addison lifts her arms above her, then bends to one side to stretch her side-body. “Usually I do. But you didn’t seem like you wanted to stop, so I didn’t.”
I hang at my waist, stretching the back of my legs, and look up at her. “Next time, let’s take breaks.”
Addison pretends to salute me. She’s red-faced and out of this world gorgeous. She looks relaxed. Maybe it’s the endorphins. Whatever it is, it’s great to see her this way.
“Have you had breakfast yet?” she asks, a flattened palm shading her eyes from the sun.
I shake my head. “I woke up early and went out.” My stomach growls at the idea of food. “I’m starving now though.”
Addison makes a mock scared face. “Are you going to eat enough for two grown men again?”
I bark a laugh. This woman is funny. “Maybe I will,” I tell her, reaching out and poking her in the side. It’s only a fingertip to bare skin, butdamnit does things to that place in my stomach where desire sleeps coiled like a snake.
She squeals and hops away, then whirls around and points a finger at me. “Watch it, mister. I’m embarrassingly ticklish.”
I return her salute. “I’ll be very careful from now on.”
She grins and turns, starting for the main house. “Let’s eat.”
I fall into step beside her and nudge her arm with my elbow. She nudges me back.
I’m well aware we’ve stepped into flirting territory now.
* * *
“Here you go,”Addison chirps, placing a plate on the table in front of me. I look up to tell her thank you, but the mischievous gleam in her eyes makes my eyebrows pinch with suspicion.
Looking back down at my plate, I see the reason for her impish expression.
“A carrot muffin,” I say slowly, swallowing my immediate revulsion. I don’t want to offend anybody whose palate might be very confused and actually likes vegetables in a muffin.
Addison claps her hands together and beams. She’s enjoying this too much.
“I made them this morning. Eat up.”
To make matters worse, she stays rooted in place across from me, standing beside Mr. Anderson. She has pulled on the long sleeve shirt that was tied around her waist, but she’s still in her running clothes. Her eyes stay glued to me, waiting for me to behave and eat the damn muffin no matter how much I hate it.
With a fake smile plastered on my face, I peel off the paper wrapper and lift it to my lips. The first thing I notice is the scent. It doesn’t smell like the carrot muffin from the other day. Warm, spicy cinnamon automatically kicks my salivary glands into working order.
I’m not so scared to take a bite now. And when I do, it’s so good I hurry up and take another one. And then a third, and just like that the muffin has disappeared.
“Addison.” I look at her with reverence and clutch my chest. “Will you marry me?”
Addison rolls her eyes, but the corners of her lips turn up into a pleased smile. Mr. Anderson cackles an old man laugh and Mrs. Anderson’s eyes widen.
“Don’t you go making any lasting decisions, Brady. I’ve got a granddaughter I want to introduce you to.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nod at her. I’m not interested in meeting their granddaughter, and I’m not too worried about ever having to say that directly. The Anderson’s will only be at Sweet Escape for two more days.
Now that Addison has completed her mission of watching me eat the muffin, she leaves me with a wink and goes back to the kitchen. Louisa comes out a moment later to refill the mini-jams she keeps in a basket.
I watch her smile and laugh with the guests, chatting about their plans for the day and suggesting hikes or activities. She seems to be genuinely happy during breakfast when her home is open to all the guests. I wonder how she feels the rest of the day when the place is mostly quiet and the guests are all out enjoying their vacation?
Louisa pats another guest on the shoulder, and then the door opens and the family with the teenage boys comes in. She glances at the spread on the buffet table against the wall, then greets the newcomers and hustles toward the kitchen.
