“Oh, Buck.” My mom swats at his bare chest. “Now you’ve done it.”
Mom keeps talking, but I can’t hear anything beyond the ringing in my skull after hearing the wordlove. I thought that Aaron loved me. Finding out how easily I could be cast aside nearly shattered me. But…that wasn’t love. That was emotional manipulation attached to a word.
The idea of Trevor loving me feels…
Like being wrapped in my favorite blanket with Banks and Jet sleeping in my lap.
Like my ideal day stretched out before me—gardening and puzzling and eating entirely too much ice cream.
Likecoming home.
It feelsrealin every sense of the word. A flood of memories surges forward. All of Trevor’s tiny actions stack upon each other like bricks.
Real love is in the details.
It’s being patient when I take entirely too long to choose which sticker to go on my chore sheet. It’s charging my phone when I leave it out. It’s burning up because he’s reset the thermostat to keep me warm. It’s not getting bored when I ramble about accounting or Marvel movies…or anything really. It’s always prioritizing me even when his schedule is bonkers and his life beyond hectic.
“Actually, Mom, I think I—”
A rap at the door stops me from telling my mom the truth.
“Come in,” Mom says for me since my brain is currently overheating.
Trevor’s eyes turn stormy as he rushes to crouch beside my chair. “I thought I heard Loretta’s voice. Is everything okay? Is there a problem at the farm?”
“No, no,” Dad says. “Kenzie was just telling us the good news about you two.”
His shoulders drop as a boyish smile blooms on his lips.
“Speaking of which…” I shake off the realization surging through my veins in order to take a few moments to detail the theatrics from this evening’s game and media session. Now my parents won’t be surprised when Ethel beelines for their stand in a few hours. Mom is cackling by the end of the story while Dad keeps smiling at the two of us.
“You should come visit us when the season is over,” Dad tells Trevor. “We’d love to have you.”
“That—” Trevor clears his throat. “I would be honored.”
Mom waves a hand. “Don’t get too excited. We’ll be putting you to work.”
“I don’t mind work.” Trevor’s lips twitch up.
“We could probably come to you in late winter if we strategize our greenhouse plantings,” Mom adds, smiling fondly at my dad. “It’d be nice to see the ocean again.”
The last time they’d been to the coast had been on their honeymoon.
“Our home is always open to you.”
Mom shares a look with Dad before we all say our goodbyes.
Trevor stands, extending a hand to me. My fingers slide into it with a smile while my other hand pockets my phone. I expect him to open the cracked door, so the air puffs out of my lungs when Trevor brackets my hips and backs me into it.
Chapter 31
Trevor
One of my hands palms the back of Kenzie’s head, softening her backward motion, while the other finds the lock and clicks it. Someone probably heard the door slam, but I don’t care. I can’t wait to get home to kiss Kenzie. It’s that simple. This is happening right here, right now.
Kenzie’s eyes blow wide. Then surprise quickly shifts to blatant wanting as her focus falls to my mouth.
Good.Glad we’re on the same page.
