Page 45 of Coming Home

“Keep this secret?”

He gently squeezed her hand. “Yes. To allow us to relax into this and find our footing together. The look of sheer panic on your face about our families finding out about us leads me to believe this may be the best thing. For now.”

Tightness gripped her shoulders. “What if I want to tell them?”

“Then I’ll hold your hand as we tell them together.”

That tightness dissolved.

Keeping this secret was the best course of action. It allowed them to figure themselves out as a couple. To figure out if they were a couple.

So much to figure out!

The fact that if she desired to tell their families, that he’d be right beside her as they did, bolstered her resolve to keep this a secret. Her choice wasn’t made out of shame or embarrassment. It may seem like this relationship was a dirty little secret, but it wasn’t. The only thing dirty about this relationship was the things she planned to do to him once dinner was over.

“And I’d hold yours.” She squeezed his hand in hers.

Fresh coolness surrounded them as they walked, hands clasped, to the pond. With Clayton and Elle gone, the two-acre property on the lonely country road played the role of their secrethideaway. A place they could be undiscovered in the glow of the moonlight.

Snuggled in one of the Adirondack chairs on the dock, Noah’s arms wrapped around her waist. Back pressed against his firm chest, she inhaled his pine scent. Stars twinkled in the velvet sky.

One of her favorite things about coming home was the nightly star display. Unlike Boston with its city light pollution, in Perry, the sky glowed each night with visible constellations, solo stars, and planets. The out-of-the-world view was fitting for the surreal sensation that enveloped her while in Noah’s arms.

“This feels unreal,” she murmured.

“It’s real.” He nuzzled her neck. “We’re real.”

“So, we’re giving this a shot. Does that mean you’re not seeing anyone else? If you are, that’s fine. I just want to know.” A high-pitched tone held her voice at knifepoint.

“I’m not seeing anyone else.”

“What about Willa?” She closed her eyes, bracing for the response.

“We kissed once, a year ago, after I’d first met her. We decided we were better as friends.”

“Why?”

The hold around her tightened. “Because she wasn’t who I wanted. Not then and not now.”

“And she knows this?”

The idea of Willa pining for Noah just like Nat had made her heart frown—not with jealousy, but with concern. Unrequited feelings were the truest of heartbreak.

“Yes.” He combed his long fingers into her hair. “Willa flirts and kisses men that she knows there’s no hope of anything happening with. I was just a diversion for her, nothing more.”

“If you were a distraction for her, what was she for you?” She adjusted in his lap, allowing their gazes to meet.

“A friend.”

Nat nodded.

The truth shined in his eyes. Only friendship bonded he and Willa. She could trust in that because she could trust in him. If he wanted Willa, he’d have pursued her. He was here with Nat.

The jealousy about Willa had less to do with an actual belief that they were together and more about her not being the one whose fingers skated across his bicep at the brewery. She was woman enough to admit that, even if it was only to herself.

“How about you? Any other assholes-at-law I need to be aware of?” he asked.

Nat frowned. “No.”

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