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She nods. “Great. Dakota’s been wanting to ride that thing since we got here. Did you hear that, Kota?”
“We’re riding the gondola? Yay!” Dakota dances around the room.
“You’ll love it,” I say. “Okay, I’ll see you later.”
Dakota runs over and throws her arms around me again. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes, but I’ll be back.” I bop her nose and she grins.
“I wish you never left,” she says. “I wish you stayed here always.”
I bend down and kiss her forehead. “That would be amazing, wouldn’t it? But you know what, Sweets? Even when I’m not with you, I’m thinking about you and wishing I could be.”
When I straighten, I glance at Marlow, and her eyes are glossy. Instead of reassuring me that she wants me around, I have the sick feeling that she’s about to tell me goodbye.
It’s only a matter of time.
I get out of there, my heart rate beating too fast. I’m sweaty despite the chill in the air. I bend over at the knees before I get in my car and try to get a grip. Once I’m breathing steadier, I head over to my brother’s and knock on the door. I glance at my watch when no one answers right away and head to the stables.
Sofie’s out there, brushing Fiona.
“Hey,” I call out, and she glances up.
“Hey,” she says, smiling. “Theo went for a hike, but he’ll probably be back within an hour or so.”
“I was actually hoping to talk to you,” I tell her.
She tilts her head and sets down the brush, moving out of the stall to face me. “Oh, okay. What’s up?”
“I hope this isn’t out of line…I just—I don’t know who else to talk to about this. I’ve tried talking to her, but she’s not really saying much right now, and her brother is in town…hey, I invited them to go to Tiptop tonight, if you and Theo want to join us…but I’m just—” I take a deep breath and she stares at me for a second before laughing.
“Whoa, I don’t think I’ve seen you this frazzled…ever. The closest may have been when you were sending out applications for college because you were such a perfectionist, but…no, not even close.” She puts her hand on her hip and studies me. “Take a breath. Start over. What’s going on? By her and her brother, I’m assuming you’re talking about Marlow and Logan?” She smiles as she says Marlow’s name, and I do as she says and take a deep breath, willing myself to chill the fuck out.
“I’m sorry. I—” I run my hand through my hair and start pacing down the long space in the center of the stables. “I don’t know how much Marlow has told you about me, about us. We’ve been quiet about it because of Dakota, but you’ve seen us—it’s not like we’re really working hard to keep it a secret either.”
“I know she’s happier than she’s ever been,” Sofie says.
I pause for a few seconds and then keep walking. “Have you talked to her this week?”
Sofie’s eyes narrow as she looks up and chews the inside of her cheek. “She’s been quieter than usual this week. And I had to go pick up a few new rescues, so I haven’t even gotten to see Logan yet myself. They’re supposed to come to Grinny’s tomorrow for Sunday dinner.”
“Oh…that’s good.”
“You didn’t know that?” She frowns.
“No, she’s acting distant, and I’ve been trying to give her space to spend time with her brother, but something’s going on. She was acting different before he got here, and I’m worried I’m losing her.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so. She’s really into you, Wyatt,” she says, smiling again.
“You think so? I thought she was, but…God, I’ve never been so whipped. I’ve never wanted anyone in my life like this, but she’s all I can think about. And Dakota…I’m crazy about that little girl. If I could move in with them today or have them move in with me—hell, I’m ready to build on that land that I wasn’t sure I’d ever build on just to be with them all the time.”
“You love her,” Sofie whispers, her eyes glistening.
“I love her so fucking much,” I whisper back.
“Tell her. You have to tell her.”
“What else? What are her favorite things? What makes her smile?”
