For so long, she hadn’t trusted herself or how she felt. She hadn’t known who she was. But she did now.
“I’m moving to Burlington,” she said when he remained silent. “Did you get my invitation to the party?”
“Yes.” His jaw tightened, and everything she needed to know about how he felt passed between them. “Why are you moving up there?”
“I’m starting school at the University of Vermont in January.” Pride lilted in her voice. “I’m going to finish my agribusiness degree.”
His muscles released and a quick smile graced his handsome face. “That’s great, Farrah.” His voice caught on her name, and the dam she’d collected her emotions behind cracked.
She’d needed to talk to him for weeks about her school schedule affecting her job. But now she needed to talk to him about something more important. So she gathered her courage close. Closer.
“The party’s next weekend. I’m not moving until next Thursday.” And she needed a truck. And a couple of really strong arms. “Might you be available to help me move?” She gestured to his truck. “And can I borrow your truck?”
He took a step closer, his eyes blazing with heat now. She wasn’t sure if it was the desirable kind or the angry kind. Maybe both.
“Using me for my truck, is that it?” His playfulness sent love straight to her heart, puncturing all the worry she held there.
She lifted one shoulder in what she hoped was a flirtatious shrug. “And your muscles.”
He reached past her and balanced the plates of cookies on the porch railing. “Farrah.” His voice could paint beautiful pictures, especially when whispered with so much emotion. His hand brushed hers. “I’m?—”
“I only sent one invitation,” she blurted, suddenly needing to lay all her cards on the table before he rejected her. Or told her he was worried about her. Or said something to put more distance between them.
“For the housewarming party.” She lifted her eyes and stared straight into his. “I only gave out one invitation.” Her lungs shook as she drew in a cold breath of air. “I really hope he’ll come. Otherwise, it’ll just be me and a bunch of food.” She giggled, pulling it back when it sounded manic in her own ears.
Darren inched closer. “What kind of food?” He leaned down and inhaled her hair as he swept both arms around her. “Because I’m allergic to blueberries. I don’t think I ever told you that.”
Farrah melted into his embrace, resting her cheek against his pulse. Everything she’d ever been worried about seemed to evaporate, and she wanted to stay in this moment forever. “No, you never told me that,” she confirmed.
“Do you have time to help me deliver presents?” he whispered. “I meant to get them out sooner, but…I didn’t.”
“Presents for who?” Her brain felt the teensiest bit soft, probably because she’d been expecting a fight from Darren, not pure acceptance and forgiveness.
“The farm people. You know, Sherwin, Audra, Cassie, Carlson.” He pulled back, stepped away, shoved his hands in his pockets, and dipped his chin so his cowboy hat hid his eyes. “You.”
Her heart started beating irregularly.
“It’s nothing special,” he drawled. “So don’t get too excited.”
No matter what it was, Farrah suspected he’d lost sleep over thinking about it. Probably had for everyone on his staff at his new farm. “I can help,” she said. “My mom’s serving dinner at four.”
“Just the three of you?”
“And a few people from their church who don’t have family in the area.”
Darren nodded and lifted his head. “All the presents are in the truck. Want to ride with me? Or you could park at the sports complex and we can go from there.”
“What time do you need to get to Rae’s?”
“I don’t know.”
“You didn’t ask her when dinner was?”
“Ben said this afternoon.”
“So we have time to go together.” She watched Darren swallow, then nod. He gestured for her to go down the steps first, and the thunk of his cowboy boots behind her brought such a smile to her face.
She went to the driver’s side door and waited for him to reach past her to open it. Feeling brave, and bold, and like maybe she had finally found the last piece of the puzzle she needed to truly like herself, she grabbed his hand as he pulled it back.
