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“Ha! Real cute, Sunny.” My hand reaches out to pat her knee playfully, but she chooses the exact moment to slide forward in her seat, making my hand land on her upper thigh.

“And here is my home away from home… Jitterbug Coffee Shop.” Her eyes drop to my hand, and I quickly pull it back. But not before I felt that familiar crackle.

“I’m sorry.” Our gazes lock.

“Don’t be—I mean, it’s okay.” Heat floods her cheeks, and she resumes playing tour guide. “Like I was saying, Jitterbug is my go-to spot. They have the best caramel macchiatos.”

“I usually go simple, black with the occasional cream and sugar. But I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Over that way is River’s End. It’s our version of nightlife,” she teases. “Great for burgers and beers.”

“Sounds like my kind of place.”

“That’s Magnolia Grove.” Pulling into a reserved spot on the side of her front building, I put the car into park.

“It’s nice. Different from what I’m used to,” I tell her honestly.

“Yeah, well, it’s definitely not Manhattan.” She laughs nervously and gets out of the car, grabs her tote, and walks to the door.

“You’re right. I’ll be able to hear myself think and see the stars at night. It’s a great little town, Lucy.”

“Don’t let the charm fool you. Remember what I said, eyes and ears will be on you at all times. That’s why if we’re going to pull this off, anytime we’re outside of this building, we have to pretend.”

I nod. I’m not sure what I expected from a small town like Magnolia Springs. I assumed we’d have more privacy, but here we are, right downtown.

“I forgot to mention, just out past the high school, on the other side of the fountain, is my family’s place, Silver Oak Farms. Trust me, we’ll be going there soon enough,” Lucy replies with a smile, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.

“What’s that look for?” I ask, curious about the sudden change in her expression.

She laughs as she unlocks the arched wooden doorway, her keys jingling in her hand. “Oh, nothing. I was just thinking how fun it’s going to be…”

“What?”

“Watching you explain to my daddy why you didn’t ask for my hand in marriage first.”

My smile fades at the thought of facing Lucy’s father.

Shit.

“Gotcha,” she laughs hysterically as my heart removes itself from my throat. “You should’ve seen your face.”

“Sunny!” I reach for her, my hands circling her waist playfully as she squirms, walking us backward into the alcove of the doorway. Lucy sucks in her bottom lip and looks up at me with wide blue eyes. “You got me,” I admit, not knowing what else to say.

“Feels more like you’re the one who’s got me.” Her voice comes out a breathless whisper, and my palms flex, holding her tighter. A part of me wishes that were true.

“Aren’t they just the cutest couple.”

“’Bout time he showed his face round here.”

“Showtime, Sunny.” Her brows rise, and I lean down into her and nuzzle her neck, my lips barely brushing over the skin below her ear. Her pulse flutters wildly just beneath my lips.

“Beau.” My name falls from her lips as a plea. She wraps her arm around my neck and leans into me.

“Oh, look at them, Doris. Young love.”

“More like young lust.”

As soon as they’re gone, I break the contact. “I think they’re gone.”