Luke’s strong arms wrap around me. His chin rests on my shoulder momentarily before his soft lips find the sensitive spot on my neck, kissing me lightly.
“Will you stay a little longer?” Luke’s lips move against me as he speaks. My stomach somersaults with anticipation.
I turn to face him, his arms still wrapped around me, and reach my hands up to play with the hair at the base of his head.
“I’m just… not ready for you to leave yet.”
I ignore the small part of me that briefly wishes he was asking me to stay in Maple Cove longer—which is silly. My neglected heart can’t help wishing to be wanted by someone for longer than a few vacation days. Rationally, though, I know he just means tonight.
“I can walk you back later.”
Truth is, I don’t want to leave yet either. I want to soak up as much time as I can.
“Okay, but you willhaveto walk me back. I didn’t bring my pepper spray.”
“Wouldn’t want you to be abducted.” He kisses my nose.
“And dismembered.”
“Then thrown in the lake.” He kisses my jaw.
“Yeah, that’s not how I want to go out.”
“I’d miss you.” His lips find mine. Something in the way he says it makes my heart stutter, and I hold back the words I want to say.I’d miss you, too.
“You should. I’m wonderful,” I say instead, turning toward the door.
“So I’m discovering.” Luke gives me one more kiss and a playful slap on the butt.
Thirty-Eight
IT’S LIKE… HUGGING A BURRITO
Luke
Viv yawns loudly. All that’s left on the table are empty glasses and empty bottles of wine. The sky has darkened to black behind a star-dusted sky.
“I think it’s about that time, guys. Thank you for a lovely evening. I, for one, am very much enjoying this personalized bed-and-breakfast experience. Luke, can I use your bathroom quickly before we walk back?” Viv scoots her chair back and stretches her arms above her head.
“Yeah, you know where it is.”
Viv grabs her empty glass and an empty bottle to bring inside.
“I’ll come with,” Liv says, grabbing her glass and the other empty bottle of wine.
I watch her go, and out of my periphery, catch Josh watching me.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he says, but his face says otherwise.
“Josh.”
He sighs, scrubbing his face with his hands. “It’s just that… I don’t know, man. I wanted you to just have some fun with Liv, you know? Get yourself back out there after Sam.”
I bristle at the mention of my ex. We try not to talk about her, but every so often her name resurfaces like a bad pimple.
“But you two just… There's something about the two of you thatworks. I can’t explain it. But I see it.”
