Page 15 of Stopped

I had greatly underestimated how reassuring it would be to have someone truly by my side until Will had shown up. My confidence soared higher with every touch of his fingers to my lower back, with each dimpled smile, and every time he eased the conversation with his effortless charm. People loved him. The strong protector of the community was well-known and admired by all. With a startling sense of realization, I glanced toward him and realized that, like our community members, I loved him too. I think I always had. Unlike my fellow citizens, the love I felt ran deeper than anything I'd experienced before.

My epiphany must have been written all over my face as I stared at him in a momentary lull in the conversation. He cocked his head and arched a single brow in question.

“Nothing. We’ll talk later.” I brushed my fingertips over his tie and laughed to myself. No surprise, the pale robin’s egg blue silk perfectly complemented the sky blue and cyan striped one I wore.

“You okay?” His fingertips brushed over my upper arm before hooking under my elbow.

“I am. Thank you for coming. I really mean it when I say it means the world to me.”

“There's nowhere else I'd rather be.” His eyes searched mine as a small smile brought the promise of deeper dimples to his cheeks. Yeah, I was pretty sure my thoughts were being broadcast in neon lights. If we weren't standing in the middle of a huge crowd, I'd have likely blurted them out loud.

I checked my watch and took a deep breath. It was speech time. Will grinned and gave me a nudge toward the podium my parents had pulled out of storage. He followed each step of the way before breaking off at the last minute to stand just off to the side with a reassuring thumbs up. A curt nod and another inhale helped ease the trembling in my hands as I pulled out my cards and tapped the mic to get everyone's attention.

“Hello, and thank you all for coming tonight. The turnout is inspiring and gives me hope. Hope that, as a community, we will continue to work together as we always have. Because that's what Windhaven is—a community of people working together to support one another, grow, and flourish.

“Yes, I may be young. But that's a testament to our town. We lift our youth up, shelter them from all ill, and ensure their success in the world outside our cozy little sanctuary so that when we welcome them back in the future, we benefit from the strength and confidence we instilled in them. Our communitybenefits from the knowledge our youth brings back from outside the city limits, turning it into stepping stones and building blocks for the future.”

I paused and scanned the crowd, taking note of the nods of approval as well as the tight-lipped expressions. With a smile, I continued. “I'm not here to change what works and has worked for generations before me. I'm here to build on what we have, take a good hard look at what isn't working, and continue to work on strengthening the community that has helped so many before me. We are nothing if not welcoming, supportive, and caring. My goal is to continue that legacy—to welcome the tourists and small businesses that keep this town running, to support the children that will keep this town growing, and to improve the practices that will bring us into the future. To the benefit of all. Because Windhaven is our home, and our fellow citizens are our extended family, and without this community's love and support, none of us would be where we are today, myself included. That is why I want to thank you for your support of this shared vision. Together, we will continue to grow and look forward to a future that is as bright as the love we share today. Thank you.”

To my relief, the applause was heartfelt and accompanied by whoops and cheers and a rather embarrassing chant of my name from my friends and family. My nerves fled with a laugh as I blushed, awkwardly waved, and ducked away from the podium with a crooked grin. I'd only made it three steps before arms wrapped tight around my body and lifted me airborne in a bear hug.

“You killed it, EJ. I'm so proud of you.” William's voice in my ear was warm and low and seemed to have a direct line to the center of my chest. I squeezed tight in response to convey just how deeply I appreciated his words.

As expected, once the food ran out and the drink station closed, the crowds began to disperse. I still had a long night ahead of me, but I took the moment to revel in the success. I had my friends and family around me, and someone I ardently hoped would become something more by my side. For a brief and glimmering moment, my heart was content. Whether I won the election or not, this night would leave an indelible mark. Friendship, family, support, and most of all, love—the recipe for a perfect night.

Chapter Eight

William

It was too goodto be true. It had to be too good to be true. I really needed a win, but even when all of EJ’s signs and signals were screaming yes, I was hesitant to believe it. I wanted it to be true with every ounce of my being, but my confidence was low. Until I got a definitive answer from him, I'd probably remain cautiously optimistic.

Seeing him in action, working the crowd, answering questions, giving his speech, was the most amazing thing ever. He’d always had a sort of quiet confidence about him, but in this scenario, he glowed. My heart was fit to burst in my chest over it. One glaring side effect of it was that I couldn't keep my hands to myself. It was damn near impossible. I subconsciously found every excuse to reach out and touch him. Mercifully, he didn't seem to mind. In fact, he gravitated toward the touch and exchanged small gestures of his own. I was about to go nuts from it if I didn't get him alone and spill my guts.

We lost our jackets and rolled up our sleeves to get the last of the cleanup done once he sent his friends and family packing. Itwas late, but by unspoken agreement, we both seemed keen to get it wrapped up in record time. Tables, chairs, and a million other accessories got packed away before we whipped out brooms and washcloths to handle the last of it. The evening chill as we finally carted the last of the boxes and our personal effects to the parking lot was a literal breath of fresh air and a tease to my sweat-damp skin.

All the haste to finish disappeared as the night drew to a close. I didn't want it to end, but I knew it had to as I slowed my pace with the last box of brochures in my arms. I hefted it into his trunk in slow motion and sighed under my breath once I slammed it closed.

“I guess—”

“Thanks again—”

A release of held breaths preceded shared laughter as we both started speaking at the same time.

“You go first,” I murmured, unable to resist the urge to reach out and lace our fingers together.

“I just wanted to thank you again for coming tonight and for all your help.” He eased forward just a fraction of an inch and peered up into my eyes. “I appreciate it so much.”

“It's absolutely my pleasure, EJ.” The way the low lighting of the Town Square caught in his gaze had my heart rate growing a little faster. “Tonight meant a lot to me too.”

“Do you have to head back or… um…” A little gasp of inhaled breath was audible over the sounds of the autumn evening—geese in the distance, the rustle of leaves, insects calling out as the threat of cold hung crisp in the air. “Would you take a walk with me?”

The joy I felt was indescribable. If all I could ever have of him was stolen moments and friendship that could almost be more, I would hoard every second. “Yes. Absolutely.”

Again, hope blossomed as his face broke out in a grin. He walked backward across the Square, tugging me along by the hand, before turning to lead me along one of the smaller paths that cut through the parkland toward the banks of the creek. So many afternoons and evenings had been spent along the creek bed. Despite myself, fantasies of more time spent here in the future buoyed my spirits.

The path was a narrow one crafted of pressed stone and sparsely illuminated by small lamp posts that grew more sporadic the farther we walked, his hand wrapped in mine. In between the golden pools of light, the moon showed through the canopy of trees overhead, creating dappled specks of pale silver to guide us along our way. The air was cooler under the trees and along the softly babbling brook, but I didn't complain. Not when it caused him to step closer to share body heat.

We didn't talk, didn't laugh, hardly even breathed as the quiet breeze skated over our faces and carried the heady aroma of autumn with it. Tension grew in my chest, neither pleasant nor unpleasant, until I finally couldn't stand it anymore. With a decision made, I stopped us in a pool of moonlight and shifted until we were face to face.

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