Page 34 of Beauty and the Beard

Could he be more romantic without even trying? My gentle giant bringing me flowers and wiping my tears because I’m a hot mess of emotions over it and he doesn’t even blink an eye at my response.

“Do any of us really know what we’re doing?”

“I don’t think so, no.”

“Can you stay again? All night?”

He nods and reaches for my free hand.

“Yeah. I can.” He dips his head. “I mean, I was hoping to.”

“I was hoping you’d come. I don’t know how to get to your place or I would have gone to you. I was just thinking of that and then you showed up like you heard my wish.”

His mouth ticks up in a small smile.

“Really? Well, why don’t you come home with me in the morning and I’ll show you my place.”

“I’d like that.”

His eyes are brighter than the moon’s glow, and his smile is genuine. Can I let myself believe this man might be what I’ve yearned for and we can make something out of whatever it is that’s brewing between us?

When I close the door behind us, a seed of hope takes root.

Chapter 10

Leaf

The morning sun shines through the crack in the curtains far too soon and I gaze at Sasha next to me. Our legs tangled together and his head on my chest feels good.

So damn good.

I knew I missed Connor and his physical presence, but I didn’t notice how much I missed another person in their entirety. A warm leg pressed against mine, a breath on my chest in the dark. Conversation in bed and the knowledge that I won’t be eating breakfast alone is suddenly incredibly enticing.

Old feelings and new ones are tumbling together and I know I need to do good by Sasha while balancing my memories of Connor.

It’s not easy.

But my friends and family are right. I know I shouldn’t spend the rest of my life alone. Connor would one hundred percent hate that I’m cooping myself up and not laughing. And I know he’d be disappointed I let the sugar shack and maple syrup slide.

Sasha stirs next to me and his long eyelashes flutter open.

“What time is it?”

“Does it matter?”

He tilts his head back to look at me. “Don’t you need to be at the lodge to help for breakfast and excursions and stuff?”

“Mmm, technically yes, but they already know what needs to be done if I’m late.”

Sasha pushes up with a smile.

“You’re staying with me all day?”

Rolling over, I pin him underneath me. His smile and laugh make my heart beat out of time. “I’m definitely not rushing out.”

Leaning down, I brush my lips across his, and he sighs.

“A guy could get used to this in the morning.”

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