Page 101 of Love Me Reckless

“Maybe talk to them? The rental has a phone.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to tell them.”

I shrug. “Can you start with the truth?”

She inhales a slow breath. “I don’t think they’ll listen.”

“Is it worth trying?”

She nods. “Yes. Yes it is.”

The neighborhood is quiet, and though the roads are plowed and walkways shoveled, some of the homes have that deserted feel, like they’re hibernating.

I pull into the driveway of the handsome vacation house, my winter tires crackling on the crusty snow. The shades are drawn and the frontyard is mounded with so much snow it’s up to the windows. Memories from that weekend months ago rush back as I shut off the engine. The rowdy games of basketball in this very driveway to Hunter’s surprise lake dips to cooking together in the kitchen to the moment I brought Kirilee here and my life changed in the blink of an eye.

Has every moment since been leading us back to this place?

“Thanks for the rescue,” she says in the quiet. “I don’t exactly know where to go from here, but so far this feels right.”

“Let’s keep it that way,” I say.

She smiles.

I jump down and dash to her side. The cold wind has a bite to it this close to the lake, so I lift her to the ground, then hurry us to the front door. We stand there shivering in the alcove while I scroll past messages from Zach to the one with the entry code.

Kirilee taps it in, and after a quick flash of green, the lock gives a whirr.

Inside, the house is dark and still. Our dress shoes on the hardwood floor sound extra loud as we clatter into the entryway and close the heavy door behind us.

To the right, a hallway leads to the guest bathroom, a bedroom, and the game room. To the left is the living room with the giant hearth and comfy couches, and straight ahead is the open kitchen and eating area. Beyond it, the sliding glass doors lead to the deck, yard, and lakeshore. Though darkness is falling quickly, the last of the light outlines the tall pines, their branches shifting in the steady breeze.

I tap the thermostat panel on the wall and the heat kicks on instantly. “I’ll get a fire going. Let’s find you a blanket.”

In the hall closet are several choices. I pull out the two thickest ones and carry them to the living room. I unfurl the down throw and wrap it around Kirilee’s shoulders.

She curls against me and sighs. I cradle her body against mine, the warmth between us sending pinpricks rushing over my skin. Shegives a little shiver, so I kiss the top of her head and walk to the hearth.

“I wish I could take off this dress.” She drops onto the couch and pulls the other blanket over her lap.

“Don’t let me stop you,” I say, glancing over my shoulder.

She gives me a sly smile. “Maybe Ava or Sofie could bring me the bag I packed from the lodge.”

I slide my phone and wallet across the coffee table. “Maybe order us a few pizzas while you’re at it.”

She groans. “That sounds so good. I just got really hungry.”

“Running away from your wedding is extremely taxing.”

She hitches the blanket higher around her shoulders. “I can’t believe I did that.”

I kneel down in front of the hearth and sort through the assortment of kindling. “How does it feel?”

“Amazing.” She kicks off her shoes. “But… new. I’ve never done anything like this.”

I build a little teepee over rolled-up newspaper and light it. The kindling is so dry that the fire snaps to life quickly, the bright orange flames dancing.

While I add more kindling and grab a few sections of split pine from the woodpile, Kirilee uses my phone to order several large peperoni and olive pizzas, breadsticks, sodas, and a bottle of wine.

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