Page 41 of Quietly Falling
“You told me not to tell anyone,” Roman says, flicking the lights on and illuminating the cabin in one shot.
“And I just happened to be at the store when Roman came into the deli.” Eden grins like the Cheshire cat. “I wouldn’t let him leave until he agreed I could come.”
“I’d expect nothing less, honestly,” I tell her as Roman shakes his head and Bodhi closes the door behind him.
The cabin is just like I remember it. My chest fills with love and happiness as I take in the leather recliners and the flannel blanket folded on the back of the couch—the couch that they replaced after my senior year of high school because my aunt said it was her reward for surviving all our shenanigans.
But she loved it.
You’re the only one who stayed away.
The little voice in my head is quick to remind me I’m the only one who didn’t end up here in Trappers Ridge or in Ransom, the next town over, with our other cousins.
My eyes glance toward Bodhi, my heart beating a little faster thinking that maybe—just maybe—he’s the reason I stayed in Tennessee. The thing I’ve been waiting for.
Slow down, Ella.
Whatever this is between us is new—like incredibly, brand-new baby new. And I don’t want to scare him off—especially because we’re launching fromget to know youtomeet my parents and entire extended family.
In less than seventy-two hours.
Awesome.
“Hey, let me show you around,” I say louder than I intended, drawing the curious gazes of my cousins. Bodhi’s eyebrow arches as he turns toward me. And now I’m completely flustered. Oh, good. “This is the living room, kitchen, and there’s a powder room over there and a sunroom past the kitchen.”
“It’s really nice,” he says, following me down the hall to where the three bedrooms are located.
“We used to all pile in here. My dad has a brother and a sister, and between them there’s nine cousins. We all had sleeping bags or those little collapsable cots, and it was a complete free-for-all.” I smile as I flip the lights on in the second bedroom. “But it was fun.”
“Sounds like it,” he says, looking around the room. “I like the moose.” He smiles, pointing to a stuffed moose in the corner.
“I think there’s a bear in one of the other ones. Owl in the other? We can look.”
“Ella, what are we?—”
“Ella, come out here!” Roman’s voice booms from the living room, and Bodhi just shakes his head, amused.
“Go on, I’ll be out in a second.”
“I’m sorry. I know they can be a lot.”
“I get it,” he says, setting the bags on the floor, “but that’s why we’re here.”
“Thank you for making this happen.”
“I like seein’ you happy.”
Blushing, I give him a wink and try not to completely melt into a puddle. “It looks good on you too.”
His lips curve up into a slow grin, and I’m at risk of my panties being ruined with that absolutely wanton look on his face.
Oh, yes, please.
“Quit stalling. I’ll be out there in a second.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
