“I haven’t been here a full day, and all the neighbours will be talking about how I snuck you in.” She giggles before asking, “Why didn’t you just come in?”
I lift one shoulder. “I kinda wanted to be alone with you. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I’m glad you’re here.” She throws herself into my arms, and I pull her close. Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I allow the scent of cherries to consume me.
“I missed you so much,” she confesses into my chest. “I’m sorry I pushed you away before you left. I’m working through some things.”
“It’s okay. I’m here now,” I say as I glide my hands up and down her back.
Reluctantly, I release her, and she pulls me into the kitchen. She’s been busy. There is barely any evidence that she moved in today. I smile to myself when I see the coffee maker I bought her nestled in a corner on the counter.
“How did the move go? Did you bring everything you need?”
“For now. I was tired and didn’t feel like making another trip, so I left my books, photo albums, and a few odds and ends behind. I can grab them the next time I’m over to see Maggie.” Walking to the island, she points at a little gnome. “Look what Hannah got me for a housewarming gift. Isn’t she sweet?”
“Adorable.” I run my fingertips over the creases in its floppy hat. “How does Logan feel about her adding to the collection?”
“Zero out of ten. Not a fan.” She giggles, her eyes twinkling. “I totally think we should get him one for the cabin.”
I love how she says we, like it’s inevitable.
“He would lose his mind,” I snort.
“I know,”—she grins mischievously—“it would be great.”
Moving her gift out of the way, she jumps up onto the countertop and reaches for me. I position myself to stand between her thighs and rest my hands on her hips. It’s then that I notice she’s wearing one of my hoodies with black leggings. She can keep it. I will never tire of seeing her in my clothes.
“Tell me about your week away,” she says, resting her hands on my shoulders. “Did you do anything fun?”
“I was at the university every morning. There’s a great group of students this semester—lots of excellent discussion and debate. I caught a hockey game with Vaughan and stopped to see my grandfather quickly on the way home.” I feel her shiver as one of my hands runs up and down her spine.
“How is Vaughan? April talks about him all the time, but she’s biased.”
“He’s good.” I gently brush away the hair that has fallen over her face. “Always busy. He talks about her too.”
“And your grandfather? You’ve mentioned him before, but I didn’t know you were that close to anyone in your family.”
“Only him.” Nestled close like this, it takes all my restraint not to kiss her.
She runs her tongue along her bottom lip before asking, “Do you want a glass of wine? We can sit in the living room and talk.”
“Wine sounds good.” I hum when her body slides down mine as she gets off the counter. She gives me a knowing grin before taking wineglasses from the cupboard.
“I planned on drinking this straight from the bottle while I enjoyed a hot bath, but I don’t mind sharing it with you.” She hands me a glass, and I follow her into the other room.
Logan left all his furniture behind when he moved, but the large space looks completely different. Beck has completely transformed it and made it hers. Yellow and purple polka-dot cushions brighten the dark couch. A red knit blanket is draped over an armchair by the fireplace. A stained-glass lamp casts a warm amber light from where it sits low on a table. I recognize a few of her things from the trailer, but there are new pieces here as well.
When she catches me lingering at a purple vase filled with yellow and white flowers, she smiles softly. “A gift from AuntMaggie. She gave me a bunch of things to help make this place feel like mine.”
“It looks amazing,” I say. You did a beautiful job.”
“Thank you. I think I’m going to enjoy living here.” Taking my hand, she leads me to the couch. “Let’s sit, and you can tell me about your grandfather. What’s he like?”
Taking a sip of wine, I lean forward and place the glass on the coffee table in front of us. “He is the best man I know and one of my favourite people. We grew apart when I was a teenager, but we have been making up for lost time.”
“What changed?” She shifts her body so she can see me better. Her fingers fiddle with the cuff of my sweater. I’ve become used to her casual touches. I didn’t grow up with much physical affection, and now I crave it. From her.
“I went through something in my early twenties that really affected my mental health.” My chest warms when she places her hand on my knee in silent support. “It’s something I would like to share with you soon, but not today. My parents weren’t supportive—at all. My grandfather was the one who stepped in and got me through the worst of it.”
