I gripped the steering wheel tighter, unsure how to respond to such earnest sincerity.Her hand found mine, and I started at her touch.
“Hey, you okay?”she asked, concerned lines forming on her brow.
I sucked in a breath, trying to steady myself.“I'm fine, Sunny.Just...processing.”
She stroked her thumb over my knuckles.“Processing what?”
I hesitated, torn between the feelings swelling in my chest and my instinct to keep my distance.But looking into Olivia's eyes, I was incapable of lying to her.
“Us,” I admitted.“This thing between us.It's new territory for me.”
“I know, Mr.I-Don't-Do-Relationships, but you're doing great.”
She leaned in, her breath tickling my cheek.I turned to face her, our noses almost touching.The air between us sparked with tension.Before I could overthink it, I closed the gap, capturing her lips with mine.
The kiss was different from our others—slower, deeper, filled with unspoken promises.When we broke apart, our heavy breathing echoed in the confined space of the car.
“Let's go home,” I breathed, my heart racing.
“And drink more wine.”
I laughed.Drunk Olivia was adorable.“Sure.Just don't pass out on the drive.”
“No promises.”She slunk down in her seat, eyes already closed.By the time I pulled up to her house, her breathing had long since evened out.
After carefully maneuvering my car into Olivia’s driveway, I cut the engine and sat for a moment, lost in thought.The amber glow of the porch light spilled through the windshield, illuminating her peaceful face as she slept.Her chest rose and fell with each gentle breath.
Sighing, I climbed out of the car and made my way around to her side.I opened her door as quietly as possible, wincing at the faint squeak of the hinge.I fished her house keys from her purse before reaching across her.I unclicked her seatbelt then gently lifted her into my arms and cradled her against my chest.
I kicked the car door shut with my foot, the muffled thud too loud in the quiet night.Balancing Olivia in my arms, I navigated the porch steps, the old wood creaking beneath our combined weight.As I unlocked the front door, I heard the soft patter of paws approaching on the other side.
“Hey, Pete,” I whispered as the eager pup greeted us, tongue lolling out and tail thumping rhythmically against the doorframe.“Shh, we don't want to wake her up.”
Pete's nose nudged my leg as I stepped inside.Fortunately, I was now familiar enough with the house that I was able to navigate it in the dark.The floorboards groaned softly under my feet, and the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the house marked the passing seconds.
I gently laid Olivia on the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight.She stirred.The sheets rustled as she shifted, but she didn't wake.After removing her shoes and placing them by the nightstand, I grabbed a fluffy blanket from the foot of the bed and covered her.She instinctively snuggled into its warmth, a contented sigh escaping her lips.
I sat on the edge of the mattress, gazing at her sleeping form.My mind filtered through the events of the evening—the laughter that had bubbled up from deep in my chest, the stolen glances that sent electricity coursing through my veins, the way her hand fit perfectly in mine.
This woman, with her sunny smile and unwavering kindness, had become as essential to my existence as the air I breathed.
Leaning over, I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, the silky strands slipping through my fingers.I bent down inhaling the sweet scent of her skin as I kissed her forehead.The words were out before my brain had the chance to intervene.A whispered confession, barely audible even in the quiet bedroom.
“I love you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
OLIVIA
“You know,for someone who claims not to be good at relationships, you're doing pretty well so far.”
Carter laughed, pulling me closer.Our footsteps crunched softly in the fallen leaves as we approached the local orchard.It was their annual fall festival, complete with corn maze, pumpkin picking, hot apple cider—the whole shebang.
“Don't jinx it.I might still screw this up spectacularly.”
“Oh, please.You're crushing it, and you know it.Now come on, I want to find the perfect pumpkin!”
We strolled through the trees, surrounded by a sea of orange.The scent of apples and cinnamon made me feel warm despite the chill.I wasn’t smiling, I wasbeaming.If someone told me a few months ago that I’d be strolling through the fall festival on the well-muscled arm of my grumpy boss, I’d think they’d gone insane.
