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When he sees me, his whole face shifts.
I cross the last few feet, and he meets me halfway with a small laugh, one hand coming up to my jaw. He kisses me quickly and warmly. Nothing showy. Just the way you kiss the person you go home to every night.
“Hi.”
“Hi, baby.”
“You warm enough?”
“Marginally.”
Mayor Caldwell clears his throat gently. “Griffin, anytime you’re ready.”
“Sorry, Mayor. On my way up.”
Fox squeezes my hand once and steps back. I climb the stairs of the stage for what feels like the hundredth time this season. Mayor Caldwell walks me through the same short thank-you as every year. I take the microphone. I thank the town. I thank Emmett, Meredith, Chief Morrison, the Halls and the Howards, and every single vendor and volunteer.
The lights shine across the field the same way they did last year, with the slight difference that this wasn’t a last-minute change and I am keeping a lot fewer secrets.
When I step off the stage, Fox is at the bottom waiting for me.
“Good speech.”
“Thank you. Take me home?”
“Every night, baby.”
Bastian slaps Fox on the back on the way past, and Taylen kisses my cheek. Fox weaves his fingers through mine, and we walk toward his car.
He drives with one hand on the wheel and the other on my thigh.
“How was your day?” I ask.
“Long.”
“You okay?”
“Better now.”
I lean my head back against the seat and let my eyes close because the heat is on and my body is finally admitting how tired it is.
Then the car slows and turns.
I open my eyes.
He’s parking in the driveway of our house.
“Fox.”
“Yeah?”
“Do we have to do this tonight?”
“Do what?”
“Whatever house thing you’ve been working on. Can we check it out tomorrow? I’m so tired I could cry.”
“It’s not a house thing to check. I promise. Come inside.”
