I felt warm and happy, as if nothing could penetrate what we had.Everything might be about to change, but today, we were good.The festival was successful.I sold a lot of my baked goods and met new people.
We'd showered, napped, and then we made love.We hadn't said anything, but it felt different, almost like the beginning of a goodbye.We knew everything was changing soon, but we were holding on until the moment we had to separate.
It was heartbreaking to think about.I was so overwhelmed with emotion afterward that I disappeared into the bathroom under the guise of getting dressed to go out.When I was alone, I let the tears fall.
Then I washed my face and promised not to think about it tonight.We were celebrating the success of the festival and the town.I should be happy about that and the renovation, which would be done soon.
I hoped he wouldn't notice my red-rimmed eyes or puffy cheeks.If he did, I'd say they were tears of happiness.
I pulled on a short dress, blow-dried my hair straight, and applied makeup.
Not seeing Morgan in the bedroom, I went downstairs.He stood in the kitchen in slacks and a button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms.My breath caught.I'd never seen him in anything other than casual or work clothes, which for him was stuff he could get dirty in.
He looked up, his gaze snagging on my outfit."You look gorgeous."
"You do too."This felt different, very much like a date."I just realized we've never gone out together before."
An emotion crossed his face.Regret maybe?"Yeah, I'll have to do better."
Before I could ask what he meant by that, he'd crossed the room and pulled me against him.
He cupped my head, nuzzling my neck and kissing me there."You smell so good; I could eat you."
I smiled."Too bad we don't have time."
He lifted his head, his beard tickling my cheek."Tonight."
"Are you sure we have to go out?"There was something about being together like this.What if Tom found out?Would he be upset?Or would he accept our explanation that Morgan offered me a room?
"As much as I want to keep you to myself, this is your night."He grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the door.
"I don't think anyone will notice that we're not there."Most people understood that I woke up early.
He opened the front door to his truck for me."Aspen texted me and made me promise to get you there.I think Eve wants to talk to you about the renovation.I mentioned the outdoor patio area to her the other day."
"I haven't even thought about it recently."With everything going on, I'd forgotten about it.And I wasn't sure I could handle one more project right now.The thought of moving out of Morgan's place and to the scene of the fire was enough for me to process.
"You might as well do a full makeover all at once," he said, shutting the door and walking around the hood to the driver's side of the cab.
When he climbed into the cab, I said, "Belle's outdoor space is busy.People love the water fountain and the gardens she's planted.But we don't have that kind of space."
"Eve is talking about redoing all the sidewalks so that they're large brick pavers.They'll be wider than what is currently there.It will allow for extra room for seating, especially for the bakery since it's on a corner."He pulled out his phone to show me an example of the finished product.
"That looks really nice."She was making the town better.
He tucked his phone away."Eve and Natasha are serious about making upgrades that make the town more inviting."
Excited now that I could see what he envisioned, I said, "I can see a few tables and chairs on the side area, maybe even a bench by the front window."
"You can always have planters with flowers in the spring and summer."
"I suppose the space wouldn't get used in the winter.It's too cold."
"You could always add heaters, maybe even a fire pit of some sort.You know the ones that are portable.That way you could put it away at the end of the day."
I chewed my lip."I can see using heaters, but I'm not sure a fire pit makes sense for a business that closes in the afternoon."
He nodded as he turned on the engine and backed out."It's an option if you ever want to have evening events."
