“Hmm, so you’ve been watching me.” It’s all I heard, ignoring the fact that the contents of my pages are for my eyes only.
“Don’t do that. We both know we’ve been observing each other when we think nobody is looking.” She’s going the honesty route, not sugarcoating a damn thing.
My head dips down, but I peer up to focus on her angelic face. “Why, whatever will I do when you leave? I’ll have nothing to stare at except for maybe a deer eating an apple.”
She nudges my arm with her own, enjoying my humor. “You’ll be fine. You said it yourself that you keep busy with your family.”
We resume our slow walk, ignoring the rest of the group way up ahead as the pavement curves through the gazebo square at the start of Main Street. “That is true.”
“Do you want a family one day?”
My eyes bug out. “Wow, we took a serious turn in our investigation of one another.” She chuckles, and the sound seeps into my body and floods my veins. “I think one day. It’s not really on my radar, to be honest.”
“Same. I’m indifferent.”
I’m trying to stay calm, but Harlow makes me anxious in the best possible way.
The group ahead looks back at us. “We’re going to head back to the inn, will you two be all right?” Frank asks.
“I’m a local, remember? We’re fine,” I call out.
They’re already heading off when Harlow throws a frown at me. “Deciding our agenda for the night? Speaking on my behalf?”
I growl under my breath at all the ways our night could go. “Just doing what I do best… leading.”
That bashful flush hits her cheeks again. It’s kind of unexpected. I just assumed her sexual confidence would be above average considering what she writes. However, all indications have been that she’s shy, yet interested in how I could worship her.
My eyes stay transfixed on her, and I wish I could kiss the breath out of her. Every time her lashes flutter, I’m digging myself further into a hole of need. Yet, I’m not sure why, but something tells me not to push.
We continue to walk and take in the night. It’s quiet except for a few people. All the store windows have picturesque displays, which brings a special ambience to every evening in Lake Spark.
“I’ve heard when they head into the winter decorative light season, they have horse-drawn carriages.”
She looks at me strangely. “Is this place like a fairytale or something? Will I wake from a dream?”
I chuckle before we grow quiet for a beat. “It’s a great night for a stroll.”
“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve done this,” Harlow explains. I notice how she’s absorbing this evening with what feels like a fresh view. Her breaths are deep and relaxed.
“I should do it more often, I guess.”
A short laugh escapes her. “Before your arctic Illinois winter, why yes, you should.”
“Sure beats hurrica?—”
Without warning, a noise catches us off guard, as I don’t see the teenager until I partially turn to see him coming out from the alley behind us with a trash bag for the curb. He must work at the general store.
But it doesn’t matter.
Harlow’s gripping my arm tightly, and her gasp could cut the air. Her body tenses, and her immediate change in demeanor is noticeable.
“You okay? It’s just a kid. It’s Lake Spark, we only worry about pissed-off raccoons.”
My words seem to fall on deaf ears. Examining Harlow, she’s in near shock, and her breathing turns heaving.
Her arm wraps tighter around mine, and her breath only gets heavier. Is she having a panic attack?
“Can we just get out of here?” She sounds terrified, with an urgency in her voice.
