Page 86 of Fall Love

He wiggles his brows, hinting at the mischief he and his cousins got up to as teenagers.

“Did you bring a girl up here?” I tease.

“Never.” He steps closer to me, wrapping his arm around me, and spinning me as my back fits more easily against his chest than my front. “This is truly . . . magical, Neve.”

I smile to myself, hearing the smile in his voice.

“And to further the experience, I brought us lunch. Maine favorites. I need to school you, flatlander.”

Tate chuckles at the term for people not born or raised in Maine, although Tate is well-versed in Maine traditions.

Still, he flings out the blanket and helps me lower to it. The coolness of the cement still seeps through the plaid covering, but it’s bearable to sit on. In our lower position, we don’t see the trees as well, but Tate doesn’t seem to mind. He begins taking things out of the bag, setting them between us on the blanket.

The scent of clam chowder wafts from the containers. Classic potato chips from a local company and fresh sourdough bread accompany our lunch.

“And what’s this?” Tate teases, although he can see through the cellophane wrapping.

“No Maine experience is complete without whoopie pies.”

Tate laughs again. “I don’t think I’ve had one of these since I was a kid.”

I smile again, relieved I found something that could remind him of his childhood. Who knew it would be two chocolate cookie-cakes with a creamy filling between them.

“And this?” Tate smiles, eyeing me as a second whoopie pie has orange-tinted cookies.

“A pumpkin spice one, of course.”

“Of course.” He sets it down and leans toward me. I meet him in the middle, taking the kiss he offers, letting it deepen, distracting us both from our lunch for a minute.

“Thank you, Neve,” Tate finally says, pulling back. “This is really special.”

“Special good?” I ask, hesitantly, suddenly a little self-conscious about the romantic nature of this moment and the intention behind it. I just want to make him fall in love with Lovewell Landing again, maybe tempt him to stay beyond our baby’s birth.

And maybe, fall in love with me.

“It’s very good, baby,” he says, keeping his eyes on me. “Most thoughtful date ever.”

He might just be saying that, but I take it, kissing him again, hoping he feels how much I think of him. How much I want things to be good for him. For us.

Slowly, pulling away, I stare at him when I say, “Should we eat?”

“So much innuendo in there, Rosie,” he teases. “But let’s start with the clam chowder.”

I love his dirty mind.

And I agree, we should start with the chowder.

I’ll save him for dessert, after the pumpkin whoopie pie.

CHAPTER 30

[Tate]

The next morning, despite the early hour, I feel like I have an extra spring in my step. Sex with Neve is out of this world. She’s considering opening her own repair shop. And, she set up the most thoughtful date, reminding me of many reasons why I love Lovewell Landing. And her.

All feels right with the world. Or at least, better.

Jake did ask me to be his best man after a brief argument about why I’m still in Lovewell Landing. I reminded him one more time I wasn’t leaving. Not with Neve pregnant and the baby due soon.