Page 56 of Finally Home

“I’m just now wondering what else I can get you to cave on that quickly.”

“You’re incorrigible.” She laughs as I bury my face in her neck.

“Only for you, baby,” I breathe along her skin.

“Hey, if you distract me too much, I’m going to go back to the other side of the couch.”

“Scout’s honor, I won’t distract you.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Were you even a Boy Scout?”

I just wink at her, and she shakes her head. I’m sure she thinks I’m kidding, but Archer, Rhyland, and I all were. Dad was our cubmaster, too. It was actually a lot of fun camping, earning merit badges and spending time with Dad in the garage working on our pinewood derby cars. Maybe one day, I’ll dig my trophy out of storage and just leave it on the table for Hollie to find.

There’s still so much that we have yet to know about each other. Was she a Girl Scout? Something about knowing how she grew up tells me she wasn’t.

Reaching for the remote on the table, I search for something to watch while enjoying this moment. What I said earlier was true. I could absolutely get used to mornings like this with just the two of us on the couch. I never realized this was exactly what I was looking for until I had it. But it’s only a glimpse. No, fuck that. I don’t want this life with anyone else. I want this with the woman sitting next to me.

Eventually, I settle on a show to watch, but it’s more so background noise. As I sip my coffee, it’s not the television I’m focusing on but her. I am instantly captivated by her. Hollie is so focused on her screen I don’t think she notices me staring. But I notice everything. I notice the way she tucks strands of hair behind her ear, the way she brings the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth when she’s focusing. Every once in a while, she gives a small smile, as if taking pride in her work.

Suddenly, there’s a pain in my chest when I realize soon this will all just be a memory.

“You okay?” Her soft voice, full of concern, pulls my attention back to hers.

I hadn’t realized I had made a noise out loud or had shown that everything wasn’t fine.

“Yeah, all good.”

She watches me for a few more minutes until turning her attention back to her laptop.

It hits me like a ton of bricks—not only do I not want to give this woman up, but I can’t. If I just blurt out, “I want you to stay,” will that scare the shit out of her? Maybe. This is clearly unfamiliar territory for both of us. Hell, she walked into my life randomly, but maybe it wasn’t so random after all.

Did we honestly think that now that feelings had been involved that we could easily just walk away from each other?

The wheels turn in my head about a grand gesture to show her that this is more than just a relationship with an expiration date—we’re the real deal. Maybe I could talk to Rhyland about setting us up with a fancy cooking lesson or get her to a rage room. Whatever we do, it has to be perfect. Then, when she is all loved up, I can convince her to finally make a home with me.

I can’t be the only one feeling this between us. I know taking that leap can be scary as fuck, but what if the fall is totally worth it?

Chapter 25

Hollie

Payton:*picture of a stack of notebooks and textbooks*

Payton:In case I go missing, be sure to look under this massive pile of papers and books.

Me:LMFAO. I will tell Keith Morrison also that you lit up a room.

Payton:YESSSSS girl! Except no, don’t lie to the man. He’s a legend.

Payton:But seriously, it should be illegal to give out this much work after a break. I still have fall-break brain.

Me:It’s been two weeks since you’ve been back.

Payton:*GIF of Zack Galifianakis shushing someone*

Payton:Can you please just come rescue me?

Me:*on my way GIF*

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