He takes a sip of whiskey. “One that feels like home. I never really got that feeling growing up. As much as Gam tried to make it happen for me, I was stuck in this household where my parents didn’t care much about me and Gam didn’t have the power to change anything. And you… you’ve really shown me what home feels like. That it’s not where you are but who you’re with.”
Do not cry, Evelyn Harper. Keep your damn tears in your damn eyes.
“That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He reaches across the table, grabbing my hand. “Even when you were sick, it felt good to be right next to you. And at that party that you weren’t up for but you showed up to anyway. With a bunch of friends that I kind of feel like are my friends too, now—well, I claim Aiden because I knew him first, but we can share him.” He shakes his head. “Look, I’m not trying to be sappy or jump to any conclusions. We’re still exploring something, right? All I’m saying is that as far as the easement is concerned, I’d takethisany day over the easy way out for the development. Some battles are worth more than others, and I’ll choose to fight Reed over you any day.”
I take a desperate sip of wine to calm my thumping heart. “Is it because I have baby Hulk hands?”
He snorts, the mood lightened. “Yes, and they are beautiful but terrifying.”
We’re quiet for a moment as our server hovers ever closer, likely hoping to take a food order.
Before he can interrupt us, I squeeze Ryder’s hand. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’ve stuck around.”
By the timewe get back to the municipal building, I’m a little buzzed, which is greatly amplifying the swoony effect that dinner with Ryder has had on me. His arm is around my shoulders as we walk, mine wrapped around his waist. And I can’t resist staring moony-eyed up at him as he pointsout an unkempt road that apparently leads to the trailhead he and Aiden used to drink at before zipping between trees on their bikes.
He’s been doing that frequently—pointing out places around here that once meant something to him.
My chest tightens when I think about what he said to me over dinner—that he’s feeling a little bit like this place is home now.
ThatI’mhome.
And it brings tears to my eyes all over again that I desperately blink away as he holds the door open for me to pass through.
But Margie’s face distracts me from all of the goodness that is Ryder Blackwell.
“Why do you look like that?” I ask as she pushes her glasses onto her head, rubbing at her forehead.
She shakes her head. “Reed is in a mood again.”
“Please don’t tell me I have to buy another rooster,” Ryder says.
Margie’s brow furrows as she waves him off. “I don’t know what euphemisms the kids are using these days but keep me out of it.” She brings her glasses back down over her eyes. “No, he got in some fight with his daughter today that he won’t shut up about. Apparently his ex-wife is ill—” She waves her hand in front of her face again. “Regardless, Evie. I’m sorry, but your quote wasn’t approved.”
“What? Because Reed is in a bad mood?”
She shakes her head. “Believe me, we tried to reason with him.” She reaches into the purse at her feet and withdraws her pocketbook, taking a business card out and sliding it across the table toward me. “Try this guy. He does a lot of historical restoration in town and Reed almost always approves his quotes.”
I let out a long breath, disappointed I won’t be able to see Luke’s face as he finally plugs his phone into the water wheel outlet. “Okay. Thanks, Margie.”
Sensing my disappointment, Ryder wraps his arm around my shoulders again, leaving a kiss on my head that sends all sorts of nice feelings through my veins.
And Margielights up.
“How was dinner?” she asks, her frustration with Reed seemingly forgotten.
“It was good,” I say.
She turns to Ryder. “That’s high praise, from her.”
“Oh, I know it,” he says. He nudges me with his elbow. “She even told me she’s glad I’ve stuck around.”
Margie’s jaw drops, her grin so wide I briefly wonder if she’s going to get lipstick in her hair. “So when’s the wedding?” She points at Ryder. “Will you be moving here?” She turns to me. “If you move to Manhattan, I think I can speak for the entire town in saying that we will be incredibly sad to see you go but so happy you found love.”
My face ishot. I turn to Ryder. “You can’t tell people these things.”
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”
