Page 26 of I Can't Help It

“It’s great!” I correct him, popping off my seatbelt. “I can’t wait to see the inside! Are we grabbing our stuff now or after we check in?”

“We can grab it now if you want.” He turns the car off and unbuckles his seatbelt too. “Just give me one second.”

I start to ask him what he needs a “second” for, but then he gets out of the car and dashes around to open my car door.

Swoon, swoon, swoony-swoon-swoon.

“Thank you,” I say, slipping the strap of my purse over my shoulder. I also grab our empty paper cups. “Do you see a trash can anywhere?”

He turns his gaze toward the lodge. “Yeah, I think there’s one by the front doors, behind that stack of pumpkins.”

I’m sure there is a trash can behind that stack of pumpkins, but I’m way too distracted by our closeness to care. Luke’s arm brushes against mine as he shuts the car door, and the unexpected contact causes me to lose my grip on one of the cups.

Wow, look at me with my nerves of steel!

I bend down to grab the cup, as does Luke, and we end up butting heads in the process. We both yelp “ow” at the same time while a quick, sharp burst of pain shoots through me.

I stumble a bit as I stand up straight, and then Luke is gently touching the corner of my forehead with a worried expression on his gorgeous face. Warmth floods every inch of my body, and I’ve never been so glad to drop something like a klutz.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs, brushing his thumb right above my eyebrow. “How bad does it hurt?”

I hold back a flinch, just in case the reaction would stop him from touching me. “I’m okay. How about you?”

After all, it was a two-person collision.

“I’m fine,” he says, his tone dismissive. “I’m more concerned about you right now. I think it’s starting to swell, Ava. We need to get you some ice.”

Starting to swell? That doesn’t sound attractive.

“Okay.” I try not to pout when his hand drops from my face. “Let’s grab our stuff and take it inside so—”

“No,” he cuts me short, bending down to get the cup I dropped. “First, we’re going inside to find some ice for your head.” He proceeds to take the other cup from me. “And then you can sit in the lobby while I check in and take care of our stuff.”

I should insist that I’m okay and there’s no need for special treatment, but there’s a want. I love this extra attention from him. Having Luke worried about me is kind of addicting.

Too bad I didn’t sprain an ankle or something like that. I bet he’d scoop me up bridal-style without any hesitation, and then I’d be pressed against his firm chest—

Wait, did I just wish that I had sprained my ankle?

Crap, maybe Luke is right to be so worried about me hitting my head.

THE LODGE

Luke

Does my head hurt? Yeah, it does. But knowing I caused Ava pain is what hurts the most, so we’re going to fix it. As we near the lodge’s front entrance, I’m watching her every move like a helicopter parent. I don’t think she’ll pass out or anything, but I’m not taking any chances.

“Aw,” Ava coos as I throw away the paper cups, “they have wreaths made from fall leaves on the doors!”

And before I can open one of those doors for her, she’s already yanking on the handle and stepping into the lodge.

“Luke!” she squeals as I follow her lead. “It’s so perfect!”

Another sigh of relief leaves my body, and I survey the familiar setting. Everything looks like the pictures online. Hardwood floors. Arched beams. A stone fireplace that’s flanked by two wooden staircases. Dark copper leather couches. A large area rug that looks handmade.

Cozy and rustic with tasteful hints of fall.

Ava is right, it’s perfect.

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