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“But?”

I glance over my shoulder as Easton, Hudson, and Dad crest the hill back to our campsite, gravel crunching beneath their shoes. I think about all the ways Easton has been there for me over the past two months, especially last night, when he owned my body and relaxed me more than all his foot rubs combined.

“I’m still trying to figure that out, Mom,” I say at last as Easton’s gaze locks with mine and a knowing smile spreads across his lips.

“Can you do one thing for me then?”

I turn back to her. “Okay…”

“Don’t close off the possibility of what life is offering you right now, Lennon.” My brows draw together. “Sometimes our greatest obstacles propel us toward the life we’re meant for—a life we didn’t know was possible. One day you’ll look back on this moment and realize that’s when everything changed.”

I snort through my laugh, reaching up to wipe the tears from my face again. “Spoken like a true English professor.”

Mom smiles. “Yeah. Or…just a mom and woman who’s lived a lot longer than you.”

I nearly start crying again, but Easton arrives beside me, concern tightening his face. “You okay?”

“Just hormones,” Mom answers for me, winking for good measure.

Easton doesn’t look at her, though. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

Leaning down, he tips my chin up and kisses me softly. “I hope so.”

When our eyes lock, I nod. “I promise.”

“Good. I’d hate for you to lie to me about something like that.”

Don’t worry, Easton. Apparently, the only person I’ve been lying to is myself.

But I’m working on accepting the truth now that it’s looking me right in the face—and the last thing I want to do is regret not taking a leap of faith when I finally have the chance to.

I just hope to God I don’t fall.

Chapter 22

Easton

Now We Can Both Finish

“Easton?” Donovan calls out to me as I head for my truck in the yard of Tennessee Power & Utility to drive back to Garnet Valley. After spending the weekend in the mountains with Lennon’s family, I’m eager to get back to work and assess the progress on the GVCC job. Jake held down the fort for me while I was gone on Thursday and Friday, but that doesn’t mean shit still can’t go sideways quickly.

I’m also ready to finish work so I can get home to Lennon. We barely had enough energy to unpack and shower last night, and Lennon had schoolwork to finish before we both passed out. We haven’t had a chance to discuss what happened on that mountain, and more important, I’m dying to fucking taste her again before either of us talks.

That first night was incredible, but the next night, she only wanted me to hold her. I gave her what she needed, even though it fucking killed me because it felt like we were moving backward and forward at the same time. The following night, her hand was down my pants before I could get under the blankets, but I made sure she got the release, not me.

I knew I wouldn’t be able to control myself if her hand stayed anywhere near my dick. And like I told her, when I finally fuck her, it’ll be somewhere we don’t have to hide or stay quiet.

At the driver’s-side door, I turn to Donovan, hoping my erection isn’t too visible after replaying the camping trip. “What’s up, Donovan?”

“I wanted to touch base. You haven’t come to the yard in a few weeks, which is understandable since the job site is right by your house.” I nod once. “But your numbers look good. You’re doing a good job, Easton.” His praise catches me off guard after our last interaction.

I let that sliver of relief settle over me. “Thanks, man. I’m trying.”

“I can tell.” He blows out a breath. “Look, I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you the last time we saw each other. It’s just that I’m under a lot of stress, and not finding you on the job site you begged me to be on threw me for a loop. I haven’t heard from you much either, especially about your wife and the baby, so…”

“Well, you know life can get busy, right, Donovan?”