Page 86 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

Eventually, we drag ourselves to my bed and collapse there together, naked and tangled up in the midday sun. I hold him tight, full of happiness and relief to be with him again.

“I never thought in a million years you’d follow me out here,” I admit, nestling closer.

“Why not?” Duke draws slow circles on my back.

“It’s LA. You hate LA,” I say wryly, looking up at him.

“It has its perks.” Duke grins, giving me a smoldering look. “And if this is where you need to be, for your career… well, they have historic homes out here, too. I can branch out to a West Coast office.”

I inhale in a rush. Duke’s expression is sincere, but I can’t believe it.

I sit up.

“You don’t have to say that.” I tell him quickly, emotions storming in my chest.

“I know,” he stretches, breathtakingly calm. “But I mean it. I’ll move here, or we can divide our time with the Cape. Whatever works for you.”

I shake my head. Is he serious? “My life is a mess right now,” I try to warn him. “The press, my career… I have all this baggage.”

“I’ll carry it,” Duke says simply. “It’s part of being with you.”

I gulp. “But you’re always complaining,” I venture in a soft voice. “How much trouble I am, how I’ll be the death of you.”

Duke’s smile disappears. He sits up fast, reaching to take my hands. “Baby, I didn’t mean it like that, I swear.”

I want to believe him.

“Look, you’re not the only one with baggage here,” he admits. “I’ve been… stuck. Ever since Rachel, I’ve been hiding out in Blackberry Cove, going through the same old routine. And then you come along and blow all that to hell– in a good way,” he adds, with a tender smile. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Avery. And I’m sorry if I made you feel even for a moment like I don’t want you around. The truth is, ever since the first day, seeing you on the side of the highway… I’ve been fighting for my life here, trying not to admit I was already falling in love with you.”

I forget how to breathe.

He loves me.

“You were?” I ask breathlessly, searching his gaze. And what I see there makes me want to take flight.

“Am,” Duke corrects me, with a heart-stopping smile. “Have done, will always be. In love with you.”

He kisses me, and I melt into him, so happy, I can’t believe it. “I’m falling in love with you, too,” I whisper, when we finally come up for air.

The smile on Duke’s face makes my heart sing.

“Come on,” he says, suddenly throwing off the covers and tugging me out of bed.

“Hey!” I protest playfully, clutching at my pillows. “Cozy! Warm!”

“Food! Fuel!” Duke teases, and I laugh.

“Food does sound good,” I agree. “I was too busy walking out with my head held high to grab any bagels. We can go to my favorite lunch spot,” I add sweetly, reaching for my clothes. “It’s this great vegan place, they do an amazing raw cauliflower and cashew pizza…”

Duke looks so horrified, I can’t keep up the ruse. “I’m kidding!” I laugh. “You should see your face right now!”

“Cruel woman,” Duke grumbles, pulling me into his arms. “You don’t joke about a man’s next meal.”

“Would the best Italian sub in town make up for it?” I ask, smiling.

“Now you’re talking.”

We get dressed and head out, playing tourists for the day as I show Duke all my favorite spots. We browse the bookstore in Larchmont Village, picnic in Griffith Park, and get coffees and people watch in Silver Lake– until we wind up in line behind a guy wearing the exact same outfit as him, from the plaid shirt and worn jeans, all the way down to the work boots.

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