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“That’s white towel. And no, I wouldn’t do that.” Dex had winked. “Or would I?”

I gave in. Hell, I didn’t even put up a fight. Not that I had the opportunity. One minute I was throwing a ball to my not-so-secret boyfriend and the next I had a belt of flags around my waist and a posse of six-foot-three loggers and a policeman running after me. And it was fun.

Today, it was just Reg and me in his yard with Tate zooming between us. There was a chill in the early spring evening and patches of snow on the ground from the remnants of the snowstorm that had blown through town in late March. The trees were beginning to bloom, and daffodils and crocus had poked up in the planters. The kids talked about opening the pool soon, but realistically that wouldn’t happen for another month. I’d be gone by then.

My new apartment had two bedrooms and a view of the pool. Nice, I supposed. But it would be noisy in summertime, and I’d hate it and wish I were here.

I couldn’t be here. I had a contract, a lease agreement, and Jed’s sister wanted to live in the old family house while her kitchen was being remodeled. I also had a very excited nephew who couldn’t wait for me to move closer to home.

“Mom and me are moving too! And it’s gonna be my birthday soon. I think I want a ninja party. Do you like ninjas, Uncle Way?”

Yeah, sure I did. And yeah, I was thrilled for my sister. Misty had done it. She had a new job, a new home with her son, and a new sense of purpose. It was going to be great to see my family often and be part of a happier chapter.

But damn, I didn’t want to go.

I caught the ball Reg sailed above my head and glowered without heat. “I thought you were a pro at this.”

He snickered. “Even pros have off days. Let’s see what you got.”

I pulled my arm back and chucked the football in his general direction, loving his breezy laughter. I drank in the sound, stored it in my brain like a squirrel hoarding in preparation for a long winter. I’d been doing this for weeks—memorizing…Reg. He had a dozen different smiles—charming, absent, amused, joyful, cunning, playful—and just as many laughs. This one was pure sweetness. He didn’t give this laugh away freely. This was real, from the soul. It matched his eyes and the curve of his lips.

Reg jogged to my side, dropped the ball, and crashed his mouth over mine. I lost my balance and we listed sideways and fell onto the deck.

“What was that for?”

He linked our fingers and looked up at the sky. “No reason. Are you hungry?”

“No. This is nice.”

“Five days, right?”

“Yeah,” I choked out.

“What do you want to do?”

“You.”

Reg leaned against me. “What else?”

“I want to go for a hike. Let’s take the trail to Pinecrest and eat snooty beignets at the new French bakery they’ve been bragging about.”

“Deal.”

“The kids want to try them. Gretch will probably want to do a scavenger hunt, and I’m all for it…as long as I get to keep whatever we find.”

He kissed my shoulder. “You’re going to pack acorns and twigs in your bag?”

“I think so.”

“Should we talk about it?” Reg asked, gaze locked forward.

“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted. “I hate good-byes. I think I’m just gonna drive away. You’ll be cursin’ me, thinkin’ I’m a real asshole, but it’s better than missin’ me and me missin’ you.”

My accent was suddenly strong. A sure indication I was on the brink of unraveling.

Reg slipped his fingers through mine. “If I could, I’d follow you.”

I squeezed his hand. “If I could, I’d stay.”