Annie
I don’t wantto take off his flannel. I stall for as long as I can, standing in the bathroom with the faded fabric pressed to my face, breathing in Garrett’s scent until my head spins. Woodsmoke, pine, a hint of something I can’t name…something that makes me feel safe, wanted, and a little bit turned on. I hug myself in the mirror, grinning like an idiot, hair a tangled mess, cheeks still pink from laughing and, yeah, a little from the way he looks at me.
I glance at my phone; it’s almost dead, with zero bars, and for once, I don’t care. I’m not itching to text anyone. I don’t want to scroll or check my notifications. I want to stay in this bubble, in this shirt, in this moment.
But unfortunately, reality hits. I sigh and peel it off, folding it neatly, giving it one last squeeze before I change into my own dry clothes, making the spell break a little. I’m just Annie again. Except I’m not. Something is different, and I know exactlywho to blame.
When I step out, Garrett is still in the kitchen, wiping down the counters. He looks up, and for a split second, I see something soft come across his face, then it’s gone, replaced by that unreadable grumpiness.
“I guess I should head back,” I say, secretly hoping he will ask me to stay.
Instead, he grabs his keys. “I’ll drive you. Roads will be slick. No sense risking it.”
I follow him outside. The fall air is crisp, washed clean by the rain. The world feels new, and so do I.
He helps me up into the truck, his hand warm as it guides me. I try to keep calm and play it cool, but inside I’m a mess. Every brush of his fingers sends sparks up my arm. I catch his scent again…leather, cedar, something dangerous that makes me feel safe, wanting to stay forever.
We drive through the country backroads, headlights cutting through the misty fog. Of course, Garrett doesn’t talk much. He stays focused on the road, his jaw set, but I can see him glancing my way every few minutes, like he’s making sure I’m really there and not just some figment of his imagination.
It’s a different kind of silence, though. It’s comfortable, not awkward. I’m used to people just filling the gaps, half-listening or not even listening at all, waiting for their turn to talk. With Garrett, it’s different. He’s quiet, but he pays attention in a way that’s rare and real. Those glances mean more than a hundred empty words. He cares if I’m okay, and what Isay matters. For the first time in a long time, I feel seen. And I didn’t realize how much I needed that until now.
As soon as we enter back into town, my stomach rumbles loudly.
“Damn, city girl.”
I laugh, completely mortified.
“Would it be weird if I asked you to get dinner with me? As a thank you?” I glance over at him, all of a sudden feeling nervous.
“The Cozy Corner’s open. Best pie in town.”
I smile, inwardly jumping up and down like some schoolgirl with a crush. Fully expecting him to shut me down right then. “Correction, Grizzly Adam’s…best cinnamon rolls in town.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You sure you’re the kind of girl who hangs out in diners?”
I grin. “I’m the kind of girl who loves food. Give me all the greasy fries, and I might even try the pie. You know what…pie is non-negotiable.”
He laughs. It’s real and genuine, a low rumble that makes my heart skip. “The pie at The Cozy Corner is the best thing in this town, with the cinnamon rolls coming in at a close second…you’ll see.” This time he gives me a wink. And I literally melt into a puddle, right there in his truck.
“Okay. We’ll see.” I want to ask him a hundred questions: what he does all day, what he really thinks about living out here alone, if he’s ever been in love. Instead, I just enjoy the ride, the way his presence calms my nerves instead of making them worse.
When we reach The Cozy Corner, it’s glowing with warm, yellow light; the bright neon sign hums as blue and pink reflect off the glass. The place looks like it’s been here forever, with its worn-out red booths, linoleum floors, and the smell of fried food and strong coffee seeping through the cracks in the walls.
Aubrey, the waitress, is perched on a stool at the counter, flipping through a magazine. When she sees us walk in, her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Well, well, well…look at you, Garrett Hall! I didn’t know you had it in you to bring a girl into town.”
He grumbles, rubbing the back of his neck. “She got lost. Thought I’d better feed her before she starves.”
I roll my eyes, sliding into a booth. “Ignore him, Aubrey. He’s secretly a knight in shining armor. He just hides it under all the flannel and grumpiness.” I say with a wink.
Aubrey grins. “Well, I just knew there was a heart in there somewhere.” She sets down two mugs. “Coffee?”
“Please,” I say, and Garrett just nods.
She turns to me, lowering her voice like she’s got a juicy secret. “Are you new to Crystal Falls?”
“Just visiting,” I say, but the words taste sour already.
She winks. “Stick around. This town could use some fresh faces.”
