Page 62 of A Montana Secret Admirer
“Hey,” he said, taking her hand and lacing her fingers with his own. “You know you can talk to me, right? That’s what I’m here for, after all.” Part of him was wondering if he’d said it to convince himself more than anything else. That flicker of selfish desire was really getting to him.
He’d seen the look his brother gave him. Leo might have been supportive, but there was no denying that he was concerned. Serenity didn’t have anything holding her here. She hadn’t told anyone about their relationship, for heaven’s sake. Why would she decide to do anything like uproot her children’s lives just for him?
He cleared his throat and squeezed her hand.
Faith. That was what he needed right now. He had to have faith that Serenity wanted him as much as he did her.
She gave him a soft smile and nodded. “I know.”
Still, more silence. It was eating at him. Reese couldn’t help her if she wasn’t willing to talk to him. Did he have the courage to point that out?
Inwardly, he grimaced.
Not in those terms. He’d already told her that he was there for her. What more could be said? This seemed like a moment when a little note and a flower would go a long way. For some reason, Reese couldn’t find the words to speak to her the way he wanted to when he was with her. Hiding behind a note was so much easier.
Their eyes met once more, and he drew in a deep breath as if it would be enough to settle his own racing heart.
“You want to talk about it?”
Serenity shrugged.
“I’m not going to judge…”
She let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I know, Reese. It’s fine.I’mfine.”
She certainly didn’t look it.
Reese opened his mouth, then he snapped it shut. He stared out at the sun setting over the horizon, and that crushing weight continued to suffocate him. He hated this feeling—this distance that was being created.
He needed to try another tactic. “The summer is coming to an end.”
Serenity didn’t even react to his statement. No tensing. No smiles. Nothing to indicate that she had any plans set up.
Reese couldn’t tell if he should be upset or relieved over that fact. Maybe this was all the proof he needed that he was officially obsessing over her.
Breathe.
Take a step back and accept that this is still new. Serenity will tell you if she needs anything.
Don’t. Scare. Her. Off.
Reese gave a sharp nod to himself and squeezed her hand again. He rested his cheek atop her head, and she let out a sigh.
“I like this,” she murmured.
He didn’t have to look to know that there would be a small smile teasing her lips.
“Being here like this,” she continued.
Before he could utter a grunt in agreement, she continued, but softer this time.
“With you.”
Heat exploded in his chest. His brother’s worries weren’t necessary. They were fine. This was…fine.
“I like being here… with you… too.”
They sat like that for several minutes until the air chilled and the sky darkened. The stars appeared like specks of glitter one at a time, then all at once. They might have less than a month of summer left, but he wasn’t going to squander it. He’d take full advantage of the time he got with her.
