Page 19 of Until You

“Nah. It’s not me anymore. I moved around most of my life, and this is the first time I can see myself staying somewhere.”

“Really?”

“Yep.”

“Why did you move around so much?”

“Army brat.”

“Mom or Dad?” he asks.

“Dad,” I say, the lie so rehearsed that no one would ever think differently.

“Me too. I get it. I do.” He pauses for a beat before asking. “What made you choose Redemption Falls?”

“Probably the same reason you’re here. Simplicity. Safety. A slower pace.”

“Pretty much. Shit, I haven’t been back here to my Uncle Ian’s place for at least twenty years. With everything that was going on, he reached out and told me what I needed was the fresh country air. Distance. That I could stay here during the summer and in turn, do some handyman work on the place. I thought he was crazy for a while, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew it was what I needed. So I came here thinking Redemption would have changed with all the time that has passed. It has, but at the same time, it’s completely the same, if that makes sense.”

“It does. I get it. Same feel but the town has grown up some. Right?”

“Exactly.”

There’s a noise behind us, and we both turn and get a glimpse of the curtain swaying and a nose print against the glass.

“Scheming again,” he says.

I stand as he does. “Scheming and adorable. That should be an illegal combination.”

“More like it’s going to be the death of me combination.”

“You’d still enjoy every minute of it.”

“True.” Giggling is heard behind the curtain, and Crew just shakes his head. “How about you go upstairs and get your pjs on.”

His words are met with exaggerated and unmistakable groans.

I smile. “It’s been an unexpected evening, but I should let you get back to your original plans. Besides, I have a looming deadline,” I say, wondering why I feel the need to have a reason to leave.

“Pesky deadlines.”

“Something like that,” I murmur as we stand a few feet apart, eyes held but saying nothing.

“Here, let me walk you home.” He sets down his glass.

“That’s not necessary. Really. It’s not far.”

“But it’s dark.”

“There’s moonlight, and it’s not like I don’t know the way by heart.” I take one step down the stairs.

“You sure?” He doesn’t sound too convinced.

It’s chivalrous and sweet of him to be concerned on my behalf, but it’s unnecessary. I’ve faced much worse things than the night.

“I’m sure. Besides, isn’t this what we were just talking about? Redemption Falls being safe?”

His gray eyes search mine. “Only if you’re sure.”