Betzy snuck quietly across the grass toward the shed in Sawyer’s yard, hoping he hadn’t detected her movement as he called for her.
“Betz, you there?” He sounded worried now. She chuckled under her breath as she made her way through the high, grassy weeds between the fence and the shed.
“What, we’re playing hide and seek now?” he asked, sounding amused.
It took everything in her not to laugh out loud. Betzy knew she was being silly, but spending this time with Sawyer brought out the kid in her. Made her want to do things like jump out of her swing, hide behind the shed, and jump out at him once she got to the other side, something she totally planned on doing next.
She moved to take another step when her foot got snagged in a tangled patch of weeds. If she wasn’t careful she’d fall on her face, but as she lifted her foot higher to free it from the growth, her hip bumped the shed and tipped her off balance.
Frantically, she spun to face the fence, hoping to catch the chain link with her fingers, when suddenly a strong set of arms caught her from behind. “Gotcha!”
It was Sawyer, and yes, he did. That heavenly scent of his aftershave confirmed it, if the strength of his solid arms didn’t say enough. And while it startled her—enough to pull a squeal from her throat—it felt wonderful to be so close.
Not that he needed to know that. She spun around and gave his arm a swat. “I was supposed to getyou,”she griped.
“Oh, yeah?” Sawyer took a step closer. She could see, by his silhouette against the houselights, that his arms were raised in surrender. “Then go ahead.Getme.” He stepped closer still, infusing her next breath with that masculine scent of him.
She exhaled, the sound jagged and raw as the tips of his fingers slid down her forearms, further still until he cupped her elbows in his palms.
Her feet were squared solidly below her shoulders, something she paid mind to as his foot slid right in between. She gulped, took one step backward, and met with a wall of sorts. The shed, perhaps? She spun to see a row of barrels nudged up against the shed.Oh.
It had started out playful enough, but this…the chemistry blazing between them, this went beyond mere teasing and flirting. This was real, and Betzy knew it.
Years of attraction, on her part at least, coupled with years of wondering where Sawyer’s feelings lay. Did he like her more than a friend? She’d been positive that he had, but she couldn’t explain why he’d never asked her out. What had he been waiting for—a green light?
Could she give him the green light now?
Too late. She was already leaning into his chest, soaking in his warmth and his smell. She’d dreamt of being in his arms more times than she could count. And now, among the stars, the moon, and the crickets in the night, that dream was coming to life.
As if reading her very thoughts, Sawyer moved his hands to her hips and squeezed. A deep thrill rippled through her at the sensation of his grip. He always was taller than her—now six feet to her mere five and half—but he rectified that by hoisting her up and onto the surface of one of the barrels.
He stepped in to close the gap, one leg sliding between hers, his warm hands still pleasantly on her waist. He came in then, tentatively at first, and brushed his lips against hers like a whisper.
Yes. So good.
If a green light is what he needed, a green light is what he’d get. She wanted more of Sawyer’s kiss. Needed it.
Without another thought, Betzy moved her hands up his solid arms, slowly tracing the length of his biceps with her fingertips.
Goosebumps rose over his skin as she reached his shoulders. And then his neck. She cradled the back of his head as his mouth grazed the spot just beneath her earlobe.
“Betzy,” he said, voice low and raspy, the heat of his breath a tease of its own.
And then his mouth was on hers once more. A full, strong, and glorious kiss. A playful push here, a gentle, encouraging pull there, the rhythm like a well-crafted song, the slow and steady build toward that perfect crescendo.
Sawyer liked her. He really did. And while she wasn’t sure what that meant, one thing was very certain: now, more than ever, Sawyer Kingsley owned a piece of her heart. She just wondered, with him heading to the other side of the country, if she’d ever get it back.
Chapter 2
~Present Day
A classical version of Jingle Bells floated into the oversized dressing room as Betzy waited to try on the next wedding gown for Grandma’s catalog. This one, an Italian vintage design. Long in the sleeves, low in the back, and tight in the bodice.
Rachel prepped the dress for her by untying the ribbon binding along the back. “Lo did a great job with this shipment. I can’t wait to photograph this one and get it on the website. I bet Camila would have picked it if we’d have had it in.”
Betzy gazed at the unique beadwork along the neckline, bodice, and sleeves. “She might have,” she agreed. “But I love the one she picked. In fact, I loved everything about their wedding day. I wonder if that’s normal. Is that how you felt when your brother got married?”
Rachel pulled at the sides of the dress, hunching to create a complete hole for Betzy to step into. “I’m sure itwouldhave been if I liked his wife. Camila’s amazing. That’s why it was so great for you guys.”
