I swallow and nod in agreement. “That’s probably for the best, right?”
He gives me a sad smile and shrugs. “I don’t know, Mags. Sometimes I wish we could go back and never leave,” he says quietly.
Archie whines and we break out of the memories of the perfect Italian summer vacation.
“So, pasta?” Rowan says, waving the pack of spaghetti in front of me.
“That sounds delicious. I can help you prep, let me just get some water for Archie,” I say, finding a couple bowls and filling one with water, the other with kibble.
When I stand back up, I find Rowan watching me, a soft smile on his face. I make my way towards him in the tiny kitchenette and take the spaghetti from his hand, placing them down on the counter. Then I take his face in my hands and kiss him slowly, losing myself in this moment. We’re so good together. And we may not be perfect, but at least we do our best.
His hands lock behind my back and we kiss until we can’t anymore. Until we need to come up for air and our stomachs growl in hunger. We laugh and I pick up the pot and fill it with water as Rowan starts chopping vegetables. We spend the rest of the night in companionable silence and fall asleep in each other’s arms, with Archie snoring softly at our feet.
CHAPTER 23
Rowan
April - South Carolina
When we getto the campsite, Boone and Garrett have already started a fire and set up their tents. They greet us with hugs and hand us beers from the cooler.
“It’s not even noon,” I say, taking the beer anyway.
“We’re in vacation mode, who cares?” Boone says, taking a swig and placing the can down on the picnic table. “Archie, come here buddy,” he then says to my dog, who runs around him in excitement.
“We should probably set up the tents before we start drinking,” Maggie says, placing her can down on the table and walking back to the car.
I bite the inside of my cheek and run after her, opening up the back and helping her unload. “So, about the tent situation…”
Maggie frowns and looks over at me. “What did you do?”
“Nothing, it’s just—” I say, running a hand through my hairand blowing out a breath. “I told Jacob he could use one of the tents.”
“You what?” Maggie says, eyes round in panic and surprise.
“Well, it’s gonna be fine,” I try to placate her with a hand on her shoulder but she shrugs me off.
“Rowan, they’re going to find out about us if they see us sharing a small tent together,” she whisper-yells at me and I wince. “What?”
“Nothing,” I quickly lie. She’ll kill me if she finds out I told Boone and Garrett. Oh, God, not to mention Andi. While I didn’t tell Jacob, I’m pretty sure he’s suspected it ever since Wimbledon two years ago. “It’ll be fine, I promise they won’t find out.”
“You can’t control that,” she says, pressing both palms into her eye sockets.
I gently pry her hands away and kiss her forehead. “I’ll get cozy with Jacob if you want, and you can have your own tent. How’s that?”
She glares at me and gives me a half-hearted eye-roll. “He’ll probably make a move on you if you share a tent.”
“Okay. What else? Want me to sleep in the car?” I smile, pulling gently at the braid that falls over her shoulder.
“No, that’s terrible for your back. And we have the exhibition game next week which you need to be in top shape for,” she says, crossing her arms and looking over at Boone and Garrett, who whip their heads back towards the fire at the last second.
“I promise, it’ll be fine,” I say once more, picking up the equipment and walking it over to our tent pad.
We work together to set up the tent and Maggie follows every direction I give her, not being familiar with the process. She looks so proud of herself once we have the tent ready and the mattress and sleeping bag set up and all I want to do is pick her up and kiss her senseless, but we’re not alone, and she’s stillannoyed about the tent situation. So I busy myself with something else.
Jacob shows up a few hours later and I help him set up his tent since he’s just as clueless.
“Mate, this is my first time camping. This is so exciting,” he says, clapping me on the back.
