This time, he lifts me off the ground, and I’m reminded that this man isstrong-strong. Those muscles are not just for looks—this guy candothings. He’s not even shaking, holding me while he kisses me.
I slide a hand up the back of his neck and into his hair. He groans against my mouth and parts my lips with his.
His kiss is consuming, and I never want it to end. But I also need some clarification. I need a direction to go.
This time, it’s Nash who pulls back. “Am I moving too fast for you?”
Shaking my head, I look down into those gorgeous blue eyes. “I know how I feel about you. I just am not sure where you see this going.”
Nash sighs and slowly lowers me back to my feet. I hang on to him still, afraid that if I let go, this whole situation will go away.
“What are we going to tell people when they ask how we met?” I ask.
“I’ll tell them I tried to push you down some stairs, but then you forced me to propose to you instead,” Nash replies without missing a beat. He flinches when I glare at him. “Okay, fine. I think we’ll tell them the truth. You became my fake fiancée, and we developed feelings for each other.”
It’s the truth. And I thought this was all that I wanted. For Nash to admit that he felt something for me. But it turns out I’m greedy. I want to know that he loves me. Because I know without a doubt that I love him. But maybe this is enough for now. Maybe we can just be happy with this. Enjoy the moment and stop rushing through each phase. We’re going about our relationship all backwards.
“We need to tell Grandpa the truth,” Nash says.
“I think you should let me tell him the truth.” I didn’t mean to volunteer, but it makes the most sense.
“No, you shouldn’t feel pressured. I can tell him.”
I shake my head. “I’ll tell him. It’s my fault that we hit it off so well, anyway. Plus, I think we’re friends now. It makes sense that I would be the one to tell him.”
Nash reaches a hand up to brush the hair out of my face. “You’re always looking out for me, aren’t you?”
I blush. “Someone has to.”
“I have to go back tomorrow. Do you need to stay here and keep working on the bakery and distillery building?”
I shake my head. “I need to talk to Charlie about some of the structural changes. So I’m ready to go tomorrow if you need to.”
Nash sighs. “I don’t even want to talk about business right now. I’d rather keep kissing you.”
“That sounds nice,” I encourage him.
He throws back his head and laughs. “You might be a bad influence on me, Magnolia.”
“I try.”
He sobers and stares at me. “You have brought fun back into my life. I’ve never smiled or laughed so much with anyone, and I’m so grateful to you for that.”
I step out of his arms and clasp both his hands in mine. “I think you just needed somebody who liked you. And didn’t need you to change for them.”
Nash shrugs, embarrassed. “Maybe. But it doesn’t change the fact that you’re one in a million.”
I just hope that’s enough for him in the long run.
CHAPTER 33
Magnolia
I should be happy.Nash admitted there’s something between us. Would I like it better if we had a label? Yes. I don’t like this in-limbo feeling. But as my wise mother likes to remind me,you can’t force people to feel what you want them too.
I had hoped that the more time we spent together since that phenomenal kiss would help him feel comfortable enough to tell me what he’s feeling. But ever since we got back from Pine Ridge, I’ve watched Nash tense up—from dealing with an anonymous complaint to the county about a code violation on the building to fielding phone calls from aunts and uncles. Watching him step back into the family drama has been like watching someone drain the joy from him.
I sit on the couch, next to Alexander, in the formal living room. Nash had to leave to handle a disturbance at the office.
