He pokes me back. “You’re cuter.”
My smile lingers, and he wraps me in a hug, his arms looped around my neck and head, pulling me close. His chest is warm against my cheek, and he smells really good. Better than usual, not just deodorant…something more expensive.
“I love you,” he murmurs.
I lift my head to look at him. “I love you too.”
I kiss him softly. He kisses me back, deeper, his hands at my waist. He gently spins us around so my back is against the counter. When Brantley did that, it used to make me feel boxed in, stuck…but not with Wesley. With Wes, I feel safe. Seen. Respected. And understood.
He pulls back just slightly. “So, you wanna share the brownie with me?”
I try to keep a straight face, but laughter bubbles out. “We have to work on your flirting game, baby.” I pat his shoulder.
“What do you mean?”
“You can’t go from kissing me like that to casually asking about brownies.”
“Okay, fine.” He grins, pulling me close again, voice dropping lower. “How about you and I move this party to the couch…and the brownie joins us?”
I burst out laughing, shoving him gently. “Wesley!”
He laughs just as hard. “I’m trying here.”
I shake my head. “And I used to wonder why you never had a girlfriend.”
Chapter 27
Addison
It’s February now and we are packing up and heading all the way to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for the Great American Outdoor Show. We’ve only come to it a handful of times, but I don’t remember much because I was little. It’s apparently the biggest sportsman show in the world. There’s over 1000 exhibits and vendors, along with live demonstrations and seminars.
We’re going to advertise Dakota Flight Outfitters alongside the hundreds of other outfitters all across the country. Hopefully, we’ll get some hunts booked, meet people, and gain new clients. I’m sure by the end of the week I’ll besodone with hearing and talking about hunting, but the good news is that I don’t have to stay at our booth. I can walk around or stay at the hotel. The perks of not being a guide, right?
“Can you sit in the back to start?” Jesse asks me.
“No, definitely not,” I argue, crossing my arms.
“Someone can ride with me and Dad,” Mom hollers on her way to the truck with a suitcase.
Dad’s voice cuts through. “Maureen, did you grab that black tote?” He comes out from the enclosed trailer. “Why are youcarrying that?” he asks her.
“It’s not heavy,” she explains, but he takes it from her anyway.
They’re hauling an eighteen-foot trailer behind his truck and Cody’s driving his truck out with another trailer. I plan on staying in Cody’s truck with him and Jesse. Nothing against Mom or Dad, but I still live with them…I need a break. Dad drives faster than Mom likes, and then she gets upset with him, which turns into a minor fight, and then I’m stuck in the middle. No thanks.
“I am not third wheeling that bus,” Jesse says, tossing his bag in the back of the truck.
“Neither am I. That’s why I’m drivingmytruck.” Cody slips into the driver’s seat and cranks it over. The engine sputters a second before it roars, and the smell of diesel swirls in the air around me.
“You’re not driving the whole time, Cody,” Jesse tells him, but Cody doesn’t seem to want to hear that.
“Most of it,” he retorts.
“Perfect. So, then, you’ll get the front when you drive,” I tell Jesse, stealing the passenger seat.
He sighs but it’s playful; I know he doesn’t really care.
“I’m gonna go say bye to Ella and then I’m good to go,” he says.
