Page 54

But I put away the depressing thoughts because this is my happy place, and I need this today especially.

I clear my mind and focus on what’s in front of me. The golden rays pierce through the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, its warmth caressing my face.

This feeling never gets old, I think, as dawn breaks over the Magnolia Grove.

There’s something so peaceful about taking a moment, the only sound birds chirping, while the rest of the world is still quiet.

I look at my schedule for the day and jot down a mental note to text Raelynn about coming into Twisted Tulip today to look at some flowers when I get back downstairs. The terrace is a phone-free zone.

Back to reality.

As I take a deep breath and slowly release it, preparing to face the day, I can’t help but feel unprepared to face the shirtless man waiting downstairs in my apartment, asking me to sign my life away… like I haven’t already.

I find Beau standing in my kitchen, gray joggers riding low on his hips.

I try to remember why I’m mad. But his chest is still damp from the shower, and there’s the fresh scent of soap clinging to the air. What I don’t smell… is coffee.

Wonderful.

“No coffee?” I ask.

“Nope,” he responds, regarding me carefully.

“You sure?” I manifest a secret stash to appear in some hidden corner of a cupboard.

“I’m pretty sure.” He steps away from the pantry. “The cabinets are a little… cleverly organized.” His tone suggests he wants to laugh, but he doesn’t.

“The cabinets are complete chaos.” I acknowledge. “You don’t have to try to spare my feelings. Trust me, I know.” I brush past him, my elbow grazing his abs, and he winces at the contact.

“Did you check the freezer?” I open and close all the cabinets, fridge, and freezer. The slamming and clattering echoes in the awkward silence.

“Yeah,” he answers. “No emergency stash. I also checked the pantry, the refrigerator, even the little cabinet above the stove.”

“I know things are… messy. But I focus all my energy on being organized for weddings, so the rest of my life tends to be a little unorganized.” I shoot him a look.

“Hey, nothing wrong with it.” He holds his hands up defensively.

“Did you check in the cabinet above the fridge? It’s usually just random junk.”

“No, that’s one place I didn’t check.” I reach up on my tiptoes, not quite tall enough to open the cabinet without my stepstool.

He steps behind me and reaches over my head to open it. I feel around blindly with my fingertips, but I can’t even focus on coffee because all I can think about is the way Beau feels pressed up behind me as he checks further back in the mystery cabinet.

“Definitely no coffee up here,” he echoes. It feels like time stops, and then he steps back.

“Looks like we’re going to Jitterbug.” I turn to face him, realizing this is so much worse. Because now, there’s not just forced proximity, but there’s his deep emerald eyes looking at me like he wants to say more.

“Look, Sunny… I think we should talk about earlier.”

“Not now. You’re not wrong. I’m the one who’s sorry for overacting. This is just a lot to take in.”

“Yeah.” He bobs his head. “Did we just have our first fight?” One corner of his mouth lifts.

“I think so.” I purse my lips to keep from laughing. If I have to be stuck with anybody to do this, at least he has a sense of humor.

“And did we just make up?” He brushes a wispy lock of hair from my cheek.

“We did.” I fight to keep from closing my eyes and leaning into his touch. I change the subject. “Might as well make our first public appearance.”