Page 41 (1/2)

I hadn’t planned on bringing her here—not tonight, not ever But she looked so sad and defeated earlier, and then showed up atme from myself

That and under the shade of night, no one would notice the two of us headed out of town nor would they find us holed up at the line shack

“It’s a little different from the last time you saw it,” I say as she walks around the six-hundred-square-foot stone house “Reconnected the water Ran a propane line so there’s heat and electricity Added a few cabinets in the kitchenette It isn’t ht”

“I love it” She runs her hand along the green and blue knit blanket folded on the back of the rocking chair before honing in on the ie

Shit …

“Really, Wyatt?” she asks, unable to rerin fronet and waves it in my face “You didn’t miss me at all, did you?”

“Are you asking real Wyatt or pretend Wyatt?”

She rolls her eyes, placing the photo back where she found it

“If you’re asking pretend Wyatt, the answer is yes,” I say “If you’re asking real Wyatt … the answer is like hell”

Her playful demeanor shifts “I’m so confused …”

I can’t give her ive her that Iin the whole damn world

Moving closer, I placeher againsther jaw, I stop beneath her chin, tipping it until our n

My heart hammers in my chest, and I can taste her already

But I don’t want to rush this

It’s been ten years since I’ve touched those rosebud lips and we’ve got all night