I nod, eyes closing. “That’s right. If they’re not ready to face that we’re together, we’ll just have to wait. I don’t want to put your job or your friendship with Benny in jeopardy by blindsiding them.”
“I won’t give you up.” He sighs, tension leaving his body. “There’s nothing that will make me walk away from you.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I promise. “Let’s hold off for a while longer.”
He releases a rough noise and kisses me. It sweeps me away, taking my ability to breathe with every glide of his tongue against mine.
Fireworks explode overhead, illuminating the sky in streaks of color. We end our kiss. He turns me around, then tugs me against his front, embracing my shoulders. I hold his strong forearms.
“It’s pretty,” I say.
“Not as beautiful as you. Nothing comes close,” he murmurs against my ear.
A slow smile stretches across my face. “That was smooth. Are you trying to get some action behind the canoe rack, Cole Kincaid? I’ll have you know, I never made out with anyone in this spot.”
He chuckles. “Don’t knock it. My first kiss was back here.”
My mouth pops open. “I didn’t know this. Who? When?”
“Hailey Rutherford right after I turned fourteen.”
I gasp dramatically. “Should’ve seen that one coming. She made eyes at you that whole summer.”
The fireworks wail when they shoot into the sky. They reflect off the calm water of the lake.
“By the way, it wasn’t a line, sweetheart.” His hand splays over my heart. “I meant what I said. It’s because you’re gorgeous in here that you shine brighter than those fireworks.”
I spin in his arms, pressing on my toes. He meets me in a tender kiss that stokes a warm glow within me.
Nothing else matters as long as we’re by each other’s side.
TWENTY-NINE
EVE
August
“And here’show the interior is looking,” I narrate as I film a clip for my social media showcasing the progress on the camper renovation. “Not super exciting yet since we just finished installing the new floor. Soon we’ll get to the fun part—hopefully in time for my first in person event later this year. There’s my brother and his best friend, Cole. Give a wave for your fans, guys.”
Benson goofs off with a flex, brandishing a primer-coated paint brush at me. Cole snorts and paints a smiling face on the back of Benson’s t-shirt.
He grunts, twisting in an attempt to see it. “I’ll get you back for that.”
“Try it. I dare you,” Cole taunts.
“Nice,” I say.
My following has doubled since I started documenting the project. The more open I am about honestly sharing my struggles along with the good, the more response I get. They’re interested in a lot of the behind the scenes of my businessgrowth. Well, and whenever I show Cole. My comment section is always flooded with questions about him.
I step outside and pan the camera to show the display shelves I’m creating with my friends. “And over here, we’re crafting away. These pegboards were a great choice, thanks for your input. Oh! The sign’s almost done, let me show you.”
I finish off filming my logo made with a bright pink acrylic. It’s going to look great hanging inside the camper.
Once I post the video, I sit on the driveway with the girls. We’re painting the pegboards in varying shades of pink and peach to match my business cards.
When they’re complete, they’ll be able to display everything from my handmade earrings to my stationary sets. Cole was the one to suggest modifying the shelf template I found online to make them portable so I can use them at the market in December.
“Thanks again for helping out,” I say.
