I smiled at him knowingly.
In bed, sometimes our touches were soft and other times frantic and rough. But despite our joking, one thing was always the same.
Bryson touched me with love, as he always had, even when I’d denied it could be anything but a fling.
And I treasured being in his arms—knowing our love was precious and nothing about it was casual.
It never had been.
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER…
Silas
I letmyself intoTake a Hike—the bells chiming my arrival. Behind the counter, Branson—now sporting a much shorter haircut—flashed me a thumbs up and a grin. That hairstyle would have saved us alotof trouble when I first met the twins because Bryson had kept his messy waves, making the guys much easier to tell apart.
I wiped my clammy palms on the side of my jeans, hoping I didn’t look as nervous as I felt. For one year, I’d had the most amazing relationship of my life. Bryson was every bit as sweet, funny, and sincere as he’d appeared on our very first date.
Tonight, I’d insisted he let me make the anniversary plans—and since I was the wedding planner, he hadn’t argued. Bryson was thoughtful enough to create a magical date for our very first time going out—when I was a virtual stranger. So, I had big shoes to fill tonight—wedding planner or not.
His laughter drifted out from the fishing aisle. I made my way that direction, catching sight of him laughing with the hunky Wes Monroe. Luckily, Wes was happilymarried—to his stepbrother, Beckett, but hey, love was love—so I didn’t have to let my green monster out of its cage.
Bryson glanced up, eyes catching mine.
“Hey, darlin’. I’m just helping Wes pick out a new rod before he visits his cousin Fisher in Swallow Cove.”
Wes turned, giving me a sheepish grin. “I’m trying to look like I know what I’m doing for a change. Fisher always makes fun of me and Beck for being such tourists.”
I smiled. “That’s out in the Ozarks?”
“Yeah. You should check it out sometime. Maybe you’ll want to take a romantic getaway? There’s a gorgeous resort out there or a B&B if you want privacy. Fisher has all the hookups.”
Bryson chuckled. “I don’t know if the Ozarks is Silas’s style.”
I smiled enigmatically. Something told me it would beexactlyBryson’s style, and after all the time and love and patience he’d given me, I’d happily watch him fish in a lake.
“Just don’t ask me to touch any worms.” I paused. “Except yours.”
Wes snorted. “You got yourself a good one, Bry.”
Bryson grinned. “I know it. And I’m currently delaying our anniversary date to talk fishing rods.” He winced. “Bad move, right?”
Wes laughed. “Oh, yeah, man. Silas must be a freaking saint to be smiling right now.”
I shrugged. “Bryson has waited on me plenty. I don’t mind.”
Branson stepped into the aisle. “How about I take over here and you two take off?” he suggested.
Bryson looked relieved. “Thanks, man. Big date tonight.” He glanced at me. “I think? Silas is being cagey about it.”
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you what to expect.”
“It doesn’t have to be a surprise,” he grumbled as we broke away from Wes and Branson. “You could tell me what to expect.”
“Nope. You didn’t do that on our first date, as I recall.”
“Oh, sure, holdthatagainst me,” he joked. “I didn’t know you then. You weren’t my devoted boyfriend.”
