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But nervous is definitely not how I’m feeling.

I want this. And it’s going to be with Lawson. That means it’s going to be with a man that I not only want more than anything, but the man I’m in love with.

I’m as sure of that as I am sure that my pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies are one of the best things I’ve ever made.

Those are not what I brought along tonight, though. He got those last night.

I glance at the little cooler sitting on the seat next to me and grin.

I know we don’t even need the mini pumpkin pies or the homemade cinnamon whipped cream. I feel completely confident that Lawson wants me with or without baked goods involved. But it makes it so much fun to include these little touches that have so much to do with how our relationship came together and developed.

I stop at the end of the lane that will lead into the barn, and Lawson pulls his truck in behind my car.

So far, the barn's location just on the edge of town has not been a deterrent for anyone coming to dance class at all, and no one has mentioned it as a problem with attendance at the upcoming barn party.

And right now, I love the fact that no one will just randomly drive by and see our two vehicles parked here together.

I get out, grab the cooler and the blanket I have folded on top, and meet Lawson between the magnolia trees at the start of the path.

The evening is cool, the temperature barely above fifty, and a breeze rustles the tree leaves.

The scent of the magnolias and impending rain swirls around us, and I take a deep breath.

Lawson grins down at me. “Gorgeous night.”

I tip my head and look at the night sky. Dark clouds drift over the face of the moon, and the low rumble of thunder sounds in the distance.

But I smile up at him. “Absolutely perfect.”

A gust of wind kicks up the leaves and dry grass at our feet and blows my hair across my face.

“We might get rained on if we stay out here.”

“We better head inside then,” I say.

Sure, we can pretend we’re going inside the barn for shelter.

He holds out his hand, and I take it, linking our fingers. I notice he’s got a backpack slung over his shoulder and a big blanket tucked under his arm. “You had all that in your truck?”

“As of the other day. I stored a couple of things with hopes we’d have a chance to come out here together.”

That makes the butterflies sweeping around my stomach pick up the tempo even more.

We walk up the path together, my heart rate accelerating the closer we get to the barn.

About halfway to the barn door, the first raindrop hits my cheek.

I turn my face up. “Uh oh.”

“Darn,” he says. “Trapped inside during a rainstorm with a beautiful woman.”

“Yeah, we won’t be able to leave for⁠—”

Just then the sky opens up, and the rain pours down.

I shriek. He laughs. And we start running for the barn.

I have the blanket I’m carrying over my head, but it does little good. The rain is coming down in a steady stream, and we’re completely wet by the time Lawson gets the padlock on the door unlocked and the door open.