Silence falls over us again, leaving the soft sound of our paddles cutting through the glassy surface, the faint whistle of the breeze moving through the tall grass, and the occasional insect or bird to keep us company.
Man, I love it out here.
The last time I managed a trip with Garrison, we’d taken his now-wife Katelyn out for the first time. It had been a great day, though it ended with Jack and Anastasia joining us at the campfire.
Tonight, though, it’ll just be her.
I smile, happiness unlike anything I’ve ever felt settling over me. My girl. Maybe not quite, but soon. Truthfully, if we have more nights like last night, I’m not sure how much longer I can hold off.
How much time does she need?
Slow and steady, Maddox. You’ve waited almost seven years. You can wait another few weeks.
If I’m really honest with myself, though, another night like last night, when she stares up at me through thick, dark lashes, her lips parting as that gorgeous hazel gaze locks on mine, and those few weeks are going to become a moot point.
While Garrison, Thomas, Weston, and Zane all toss bean bags toward their targets, I finish laying out what we need for s’mores. Containers of chocolate bars, marshmallows, caramel nibs, and graham crackers line my tailgate.
“Those look delicious.” Anastasia steps up at my side as I pull the roasting sticks out of their bag.
“I couldn’t agree more,” I reply as I look over at her.
Color dusts her cheeks rosy, and she looks away. “How was kayaking today?”
“It was nice. Been too long.”
“Maybe I’ll take a day off and go with you next time.”
“Yeah?” I arch a brow. “Well, Knox, that would be quite a treat.”
She laughs softly. “Business is doing really well, and I’m finally at a point where I could afford to hire another barista. Besides, I figure I’ll need someone trained up and ready when Katelyn goes on maternity leave.”
“I think that would be great, seriously. You work too hard.”
“Says the guy whose shop lights were on at two this morning.”
I slide two marshmallows onto a stick and offer it to her. “Anastasia Knox, are you stalking me? Because if you are, I accept.”
More color and another smile. Two things I will never tire of seeing on her beautiful face. “Hardly. I just happened to be up, too.”
“And why were you up?”
She scrunches her nose in that adorable way of hers. “Inventory.”
I shake my head. “Well, I tell you what. Next time, I’ll bring my laptop over and do my books while you count coffee beans.”
Her grin has my stomach flipping. “I would actually love that.”
Yet another thing we’ve done before. More times than I can count, she’d come to the shop or I’d go to her, and we’d work silently, side by side. Now, though, the offer feels heavier. More along the lines of a study date where you’re pretty sure you won’t be studying.
I slide two more marshmallows onto my stick and follow her over to the fire. Ryker taps his screen, and music drifts out of the travel speaker he brought with him. Then, he gets up and crosses over toward my truck to make a s’more of his own.
We stick the marshmallows into the fire.
“So, I was thinking another round of Hogan’s Heroes tomorrow night?”
Anastasia’s eyes glitter in the firelight. “That would be fantastic.”
“Good.”
