Page 119 of Between Hate and Desire

“Do you miss it?” Hunter turns and faces me. “Living here?”

I shrug, feeling indifferent. “Sometimes, I guess. The town mostly, not always the people.”

“Yeah, I can understand that. No offense, but they’re judgy as fuck.”

His words make me laugh because it’s the truth. “Told ya.” I snicker.

We chat and laugh for the next hour until the firstboomechoes in the air, and the fireworks begin. When Hunter notices me shivering from the chill in the air, he tells me to move closer. Without a beat of hesitation, I do, and soon, we’re snuggling on the blanket just like we did last night. With my head on his shoulder, we watch the show.

After the grand finale, neither of us moves. I’m so comfortable and content, I don’t want to.

“Lennon,” Hunter whispers, tilting his head toward me. “Did you fall asleep?”

“No.” I laugh. “But you’re so warm and cozy.”

His chest vibrates as he chuckles. “Remember that when we’re squeezing onto a twin-sized bed later tonight.”

My heart rapidly pounds just thinking about it. The things he’s had to go through to make this plan work are nothing short of amazing.

We meet my parents at the car, and my mom’s smile is so wide, it hits her eyes. “Did you kids have fun and enjoy the fireworks?”

She’s so happy. And by the way she looks at Hunter and me, I know it’s because of us.

Gah, fuck me.

“It was amazing,” Hunter replies when I don’t. He opens the door for me, and before I slide in, he grabs my arms and places a soft kiss on my cheek. “A day I’ll never forget.” He gives me a wink even though his words are meant for my mother.

“Everyone is so smitten with you,” Mom says as we settle in the back seat. Then she looks over her shoulder and continues, “Can’t say I blame them.” She smirks, then buckles.

I can’t stop the smile that covers my face as I look down and try to hide it. Hunter is definitely a parent-charmer. Leaning over, I grab his hand and let it settle on his lap as if it’s been our routine for years.

The next morning and day seem to pass by in a blink. We eat breakfast with my parents, and then Mom and I go shopping for the baby. It takes us nearly all day because she wanted to drive to Salt Lake so we could hit up more shops. By the time we head home, I’m buzzing with happiness even though I’m exhausted. Regardless of the less than ideal circumstances, this trip has gone exactly the way I wished it would—full of acceptance and love.

When we walk through the front door carrying several bags in our hands, I can hear my father’s laughter, followed by Hunter’s. The sound of their chatter echoes throughout the house, causing me to suck in a ragged breath.

“Honey, I don’t know if you’re gonna have room to pack all this in your suitcases. Maybe I’ll ship everything to you instead,” she tells me, looking at how much stuff she bought. Considering I’m already packed to the max, it’s a great idea.

I laugh in agreement. “Yeah, maybe we went slightly overboard, especially since we don’t know if I’m having a boy or a girl,” I tell her.

“I’m almost positive it’s going to be a girl. You seem to be carrying the same way I did.” Mom shoots me a sweet smile.

I walk into the kitchen where Hunter and my father are. Even though they stop talking when I enter, the wide grins on their faces remain. Dad sips a cup of coffee, and it smells so good, I’m half-tempted to steal it from him.

“Your dad was telling me about the time you thought you could do tricks on your bike,” Hunter says as he walks toward me, then places a chaste kiss on my lips.

“Dad! You’re not supposed to tell anyone about that,” I playfully scold.

He chuckles. “You thought you could jump over a puddle but you fell in it instead. Just giving Hunter a warning because I’m sure your kid is going to be just as adventurous or clumsy as you were.”

Hunter rests his arm around me, and I can’t help but soak in his touch. I look at him, smiling. “No telling what else he said.”

With a laugh, Dad shakes his head and pretends to zip his lips.

“Did you have fun today?” Hunter asks.

“Tons, but now I’m tired,” I admit with a sheepish grin.

Mom enters and pours herself a cup of coffee. As she’s stirring in the sugar and cream, she looks over her shoulder. “Don’t forget we have dinner with the Andersons tonight. We’ll need to leave in two hours.”

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