“And you liked it,” Emily says softly. Not teasing now. Just knowing.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I liked it.”
The line goes quiet for a second.
“Then don’t screw it up,” she says. “Don’t do the thing where you decide it’s too complicated before it even starts. She showed up. She stayed. She laughed at your grumpy ass. That’s rare, big brother. Don’t push it away because it scares you.”
I pull into the driveway and kill the engine. The cabin’s dark except for the porch light I left on. Bear’s silhouette appears in the window, tail wagging.
“I’m not pushing anything away,” I say. “I’m just taking it slow.”
“Sure,” she laughs. “Text her when you get inside and tell her you had a good time. Don’t overthink it. Just say it.”
I rub my beard. “You’re bossy.”
“I’m right.”
I snort. “Love you, Em.”
“Love you too. Now go inside before you freeze, text the girl, and dream about her. I want updates tomorrow.”
She hangs up before I can argue.
I sit there in the dark truck for another minute, breath fogging the windshield. Then I pull out my phone.
Her contact is already in my phone. Katy added herself before we left the bar, typing her name with a little sun emoji next to it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I stare at the screen.
My thumb hovers.
Then I type.
Me:I hope you got home safe. Had a good time tonight. More than good. Thanks for not running when Jess ditched you.
I hit send before I can delete it.
Three dots appear almost immediately.
Katy:I’m home. Tonight was wonderful. I like you, Nathan Edwards. A lot. Don’t disappear on me, okay?
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Me:Not disappearing.
Katy:Good. Night, mountain man. Dream sweet. ??
I set the phone down, lean my head back against the seat, and close my eyes.
She likes me.
A lot.
And I like her back.
More than a lot.
The realization settles over me like the snow outside—soft, steady, impossible to ignore.
