Page 36 of Our Bay Will Come

The thought of Fox and my father discussing military history over turkey, my mother interrogating him about his intentions—it's simultaneously terrifying and oddly appealing.

"I'll think about it," I say, which is more than I would have offered a week ago.

We walk back to our cars, and I find myself scanning the construction site across the street, wondering if Fox made a trip to work after all. As if summoned by my thoughts, I spot him emerging from the building, safety helmet in hand, deep in conversation with one of his workers.

Cilla follows my gaze and smirks. "Go say hi. I need to get back to my research anyway."

"I don't want to bother him at work?—"

"Please. If you asked, the man would probably build you a house with his bare hands." She hugs me goodbye. "Call me later?"

After she drives off, I hesitate momentarily, then cross the street. Fox spots me halfway there, his serious expression melting into a smile that makes my stomach flip.

"This is a nice surprise," he says when I reach him.

"I was having lunch with Cilla." I gesture vaguely toward the café. "Thought I'd say hello before heading back to your place."

He glances at his watch. "Give me five minutes to wrap this up, and I’ll join you.”

I nod, watching as he returns to his colleague, pointing at something on a blueprint. There's something captivating about seeing him in his element—confident, authoritative, respected. When he returns, he sheds his work vest and rolls up his sleeves.

"Walk with me?" he asks, and I fall into step beside him.

"How's the project going?"

"On schedule, surprisingly." His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining naturally. "How was lunch with your sister?"

"Good. Enlightening." I pause. "She's thinking of staying in Cedar Bay permanently."

"Yeah, Rowan mentioned they've been talking about it."

"It's strange to think of her settling down here. She's always been such a city person."

Fox glances at me. "People change. Find things they never knew they wanted."

There's a weight to his words that makes my pulse quicken. We stop at the edge of the harbor, watching the boats.

"Cilla mentioned Thanksgiving," I say carefully. "She's thinking of staying here, spending it with Rowan's family."

"And you?"

"I usually go home to San Francisco, but..." I take a deep breath. "She suggested I might come here instead. Bring you to meet my parents, if they make the trip north."

As soon as the words emerge, I regret bringing it up. "It's way too soon, I know. Forget I said anything."

"Prue." His voice is soft. "I'd love to meet your parents."

"You would?"

"Of course." He turns to face me fully. "I want to know everything about you. Where you come from and who shaped the woman who drives me wild."

Something expands in my chest. "It wouldn't be too much pressure? Does that violate our baby steps rule?"

"Meeting the parents is always pressure." He smiles wryly. "But if it means I get to spend the holiday with you, I'm in. And that’s your rule, darling. Not mine."

I step closer, resting my hands on his chest. "You're kind of amazing, you know that?"

"I have my moments." He leans down to kiss me, softly at first, then with growing intensity until I'm breathless.

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