Page 89 of It Started at the Lake

He waits as if he’s uncertain he can approach me, his hands stuffed in his front shorts pockets. His hair is a fluffy, frizzy mess, like he hasn’t done anything with his curls in days. Purple bags are under his eyes and his beard is long and unruly.

He still looks handsome to me. “I didn’t know you were coming home today.”

“I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I couldn’t. It’s eating me up inside, Mils. Please, please understand my words came out wrong. I swear to you, I wasn’t thinking of Jen. My thoughts, what I felt, it was all you. I don’t want to lose you over a mistake I made. I’m incredibly sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” He clasps his hands together in a plea. “Please tell me I didn’t ruin us.”

My heart leaps in my chest like it’s trying to get to Bennett because it belongs to him. Yes, his words hurt at the moment. But I believe him. Bennett’s been incredibly honest with me. And it’s my struggle to work through, not his.

“You didn’t ruin anything. I did. I’m sorry I freaked out. I know that if you were thinking of Jen, you’d tell me because that’s what we do. We share our deepest, darkest truths. I got scared, and you deserved me sharing that with you instead of shutting you out. Will you forgive me?”

Bennett closes the distance between us in three long strides, crushing me to his chest. I desperately cling to him as emotions sting my eyes and nose. “I missed you,” I say. “Let’s not go that long without talking ever again. Okay?”

Bennett pulls back, his gaze locked on to my tear-stained cheeks. “Agreed.” He swipes my face tenderly with his fingers, then leans forward, brushing his lips across mine in a kiss so gentle, it’s like he’s healing every fear and doubt I had with his mouth.

Warmth bursts from my chest and oozes to every limb in my body. He smells like chocolate and peanut butter. Curious if he tastes like it too, I take control of the kiss, parting his lips with my tongue. Our mouths dance in the perfect give and take, like we’ve been practicing for years instead of seconds.

“What have you been eating?” I ask between kisses.

“Buckeyes.”

That explains the flavors. I suck on his lower lip. “Yum.”

Bennett moans, then moves to my neck, leaving a trail of kisses from my jaw to my collarbone. My breaths turn ragged from his electric touch.

He stops kissing me long enough to say, “I ate them because they remind me of you and they’re one of my favorite sweets.”

Like a river of lava, wherever Bennett kisses burns with pure bliss. “You’re my favorite.”

Bennett yanks away from neck.

I let out an impatient sigh.

He smirks. “Well, that’s good, because I’m in love with you, Mils. Crazy, right? We’ve only known one another for two months, but this past week confirmed my feelings for you. You swept me off my feet, Sunshine, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Love so pure and strong pulses in my veins. My lips smother Bennett’s cheeks, neck, and mouth in quick kisses. “I love you too, professor.”

“By the way, I got notification my blazer arrived.”

I pull away from him. Pointing toward the house, I demand, “Let’s go get it right now.”

His brows rise. “You’d rather see me in a jacket than make out?” His tone says I’m insane.

“If you liked what we were doing, you get that jacket on and we’ll really get this party started.”

Bennett grabs me, pulling me down the trail. “Would it be too much if we ran?”

Laughter erupts out of me, making me stumble. “Slow down.”

“Are you kidding me? We’ve gone as slow as I can go when it comes to you. From now on, we’re in the fast lane.”

If it were anyone else, my heart would end up shattered in the end. I have a feeling with Bennett, I’ll be the one trying to match his speed, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Goodbye man-ban, hello forever with the perfect man for me.

Epilogue

Bennett

My stomach is in dozens of knots. I’m going to be sick. Evie should have been to the Eiffel Tower with Millie by now, but they’re an hour late. Shooting Evs a text, I ask:

Me: Is everything okay? What’s the hold-up?

---