Page 113 of Owen Bailey Needs Advice

Annie grins at me. “This is crazy,” she says, but she’s beaming.Auburn hairs wisp into her eyes, and I tuck a strand behind her ear. “O, look!” She points, and a man with a beard as real as Merlin’s comes jaunting down the street in a Santa suit. He’s passing out candy canes to every patron he passes.

“One more,” I say, holding out my phone and taking a new photo of the street—one where Santa will be at the center.

She shakes her head, smiling like I’m a kid who’s never seen Christmas lights or Santa Claus before. And in my defense, I haven’t—at least, not like this.

“These are for Meredith. I feel so bad she’s missing this.”

“Of course you would think of that. Can you get any better, Owen?”

I smirk and stuff my cell back into my pocket. “Excuse me?”

“You know—you’re the most thoughtful person alive. How do you do that?”

I bow my head to the ground—somehow this praise coming from her means so much more. “It’s just a picture.”

“One she’ll be grateful for.” Annie snakes her arms around my middle and peers up at me. “This is why I love you, Owen.”

It’s something she’s said a million times.

I bring pizza by without any warning—This is why I love you, O.I call in a favor to get Annie’s car detailed without sitting on a waitlist—Exactly why I love you, Owen.I visit my friend Hank at the old folks’ home; Annie doesn’t even know Hank, but when I give her an update on his next-room-neighbor crush—This is why I love you, Owen.

But this time, I can’t help it. I can’t even stop it. I hug her close and peer down into the prettiest brown eyes I have ever seen. “I love you too, Annie.”

Pink floods her cheeks, a few of her freckles camouflaging with the color. But she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she rests her head on my chest, still wrapped in my embrace, hiding her gaze from mine.

The walk back toThe New Forest Bedis a quiet one. There arelights to look at, people to watch, and so many things to think about.

I know Annie’s still hesitant. But I also know that the past five weeks have been magical for more than just me. She feels it. I see it in her face and feel it in her touch. Her kisses hold as much longing as mine.

We stand in front of our bed and breakfast doors—keyless. I tap on mine and Levi’s door, then again a little louder, but no one answers.

“I’ll try mine,” she whispers. Neither of us wants to disturb Meredith.

Annie fists her small hand and taps on the door right next to mine.

Levi is quick to answer—he doesn’t want us disturbing Meredith either. “You’re back,” he says.

“I took pictures for Meredith.”

My brother nods, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Listen, I’m not trying to make either of you uncomfortable—but I’m staying in here tonight with Meredith. She’s sleeping now, but she’s been sick all day.” Levi holds out the key to the pink room, and I take it. “Hopefully she’ll be better in the morning.”

“Yeah,” I say. “No problem.”

Only when I turn back to Annie, she looks like she might have a problem.

“You’ll be fine, Archer. My brother is a perfect gentleman. At least when he isn’t trying to eat your face.” And with that, Levi is gone.

Annie squeaks—no intelligible words leave her mouth.

I attempt a smile, but I’m pretty sure I’m just showing her all of my teeth—even the ones in the back that no one should ever see. “Alice and Levi like to gossip.”

“I got that.”

“This isn’t a big deal, Annie. You’ve fallen asleep on my couch a dozen times.”

“I know, Owen,” she says, and my name sounds a little forced.

“We’ve known each other forever.”

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