Page 40 of Dandelions and Smoke

Who would have thought he’d be the one to sweet-talk me figuratively out of my pants… and literally if he plays his cards right. Grinning like he already knows it, he takes my water glass and fills it without me asking.

“Drink,” he says, kissing the top of my head like he’s been doing all day, his trimmed beard tickling as he does.

I do what he says and swallow down the water that, up until this moment, I’m not sure I’ve drunk today. I like it—not the water, though that tastes pretty necessary at this point, but the kissing. I like everything he does. As my empty glass hits the table, he’s already filling it back up.

Across from me, a slow, knowing smile fills Ainsley’s face, and I roll my eyes. Of course, in doing so, I catch Tris watching also. I narrow my gaze on both of them, but there’s no heat in it. I press my lips tightly together to keep from smiling, but it’s no use. Glancing over at Chief, I find his eyes already on me, his expression mirroring the happiness I’m trying to contain.

Breathing in deeply, my shoulders relax as I lean into Chief between dinner and waiting for dessert. He smells like sun-warmed cotton and sharp bergamot. It’s the kind of clean, crisp scent that makes me want to press my nose right against his throat. If Blake wasn’t still looking like I pooped in his Cheerios, then I probably would, but we’ve already tormented him enough tonight.

I’ll wait until tomorrow.

Tom suggests we take turns going around the table, sharing our favorite Thanksgiving holiday memory and what we’re thankful for. Once we’ve all had a turn, Levi raises his glass for a toast.

“To the family we make, to the loved ones we keep, and to all those in between that we can’t seem to shake.”

Pulling Tris to him, he kisses her like she’s the very air that fills his lungs, and my heart fills with joy for them. Sharing in my joy for our friend is Ainsley, who gives me a wink before I turn my attention back to Chief.

He taps a few times on the table before turning his head to look at me. “I want to date you.”

My brows furrow, lips pinching together. “Umm, I thought we established this? Or was I mistaken when you gave me that whole ‘I choose us’ speech earlier today?”

He sighs, his chin dropping before his eyes shoot up, and he shakes his head. “Yes, smart ass.”

“Ooo, another nickname,” I laugh.

“What I mean is,” he stops to take my hand in his and brings my knuckles to his lips, kissing them softly. “I want to take you out on dates. I want to spend time with you, have fun with you, discover what you like, and find things we’re good at, maybe even some that we’re bad at, but I want to do that with you.”

“Really?” I ask, emotion clogging my throat. “Why?”

“Because we owe it to ourselves,” he says, his voice dropping. “Because I want to make you happy.”

I swallow hard, looking up at this man in complete disbelief. Like, yup. I’ve hit the lottery and won myself a book boyfriend. Oh man. Lucas’s wife, Lettie, and the rest of the girls, Hannah and Abby, would absolutely squeal over this. I can’t wait to text our group chat later and tell them that I’ve officially manifested my own real-life age-gap romance.

They will die. They’ll melt from sheer joy, and then they will die. They wanted so badly for me to date one of the ‘hockey bros’, but none of those guys felt like more than big brothers in ice skates. I’ve even begun calling Reed twinkle toes behind his back.

This right here? Whatever this is with Chief? This is the real deal, and finally, finally, I’m not going to stand in my own way. He’s right. After today? After everything I’ve been through these past few years? I definitely deserve to be happy. Why not, right? It’s not like I’m out here kicking babies or shaking cats, or… what’s that saying?

“Knock knock.” Chief pretends to knock on my head.

While I’ve been lost in my thoughts, staring into the abyss, he’s been waiting for a response.

“Ope, sorry,” I murmur, laughing under my breath, embarrassed.

“You don’t have to be sorry. I get it. I love the way your mind works. I just want to make sure that all sounds good to you.”

I smile at him, the tension in my shoulders relaxing. I love that he doesn’t make me feel guilty for drifting off in my thoughts and that he explains things so I don’t overthink them. I reach for my water and take a sip, noticing how he smiles when I do.

“That sounds perfect.” I lean up, not caring who’s watching, but hoping that everyone is too busy with their own desserts and conversations around us to care, and place a featherlight kiss on his lips.

He smiles brightly as I pull away, a slow breath leaving him. “Good, then after tomorrow, adventure awaits.”

“After tomorrow?” My brows tilt down, confused.

“Oh yeahhh,” he says, dragging out the words before turning his attention to Billy, Mark, and Levi at the table. “You’d be surprised how many fire-breathing turkey calls we get on Thanksgiving.”

I look at the men around the table as they all laugh in agreement.

“Glad we’re off tomorrow,” Mark says, lifting his glass to Billy.