Page 72 of Barefoot Lake

My first instinct is to tell her not to go, to stay here. But I stop myself. External factors pulled me back to Wilcox Grove and kept me here. If she stays, it has to be her decision. I don’t know what to say.

I tighten my arms around her and press my cheek against her hair, like if I can get her close enough, I can keep her.

Alice spears another marshmallow and shoves it into the flames before looking back out over the lake.

She points up.

“First star of the night. Make a wish.”

She whispers it to preserve the magic.

I won’t ask her to stay, but I’ll be damned if I don’t wish for her to want it on her own.

CHAPTER 29

Jake

Iwake up the next morning wrapped around a very naked Alice. We’re sweaty from clinging to one another, and my arm is dead asleep, but I can’t remember having woken up happier, even considering the nagging uncertainty of our future.

A man could get used to this. And for now, I’m determined to enjoy Alice’s company as much as possible.

I carefully disentangle us and head to the bathroom for a quick shower. After I’m dressed, I kneel beside the nightstand. I know Alice and I had discussed my heading to work today, but I still don’t want her to wake up alone.

I gently run a hand over her hair and whisper.

“Alice?”

She hums and scrunches her face like she doesn’t want to wake.

“Ace? Baby?”

Her eyes flutter open, and she blinks a few times before a sleepy grin spreads across her face. “Hi, Jake.”

“Hi, pretty girl.”

I kiss her nose. She’s adorable. Sue me.

“I’m going to head to the nursery for a few hours. I’ll be back this afternoon to help you put up the doors.”

“Mmhmm.”

She’s still resisting being awake.

I drop a quick kiss to her cheek and stand.

“I’ll be back this afternoon. Text me if you’re bored.”

She gives me a wave before I step into the hallway and head downstairs. As I’m putting on my first shoe, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I unlock and nearly drop it when I see the picture of Alice, sleep-tangled hair sprawled across her pillow and that damn thin sheet barely covering her. There’s an accompanying text.

Ace

So you don’t forget me.

I kick off the shoe and take the stairs two at a time. Alice is still lying on that pillow, looking just like her picture. I stride to the bed and take her face between my hands, kissing her fiercely.

“There’s no chance I’ll forget you, Ace. You’re going to be the damn death of me.”