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Javier looks through the barn doors. "It's not clearing tonight."

"I gathered that."

"You can stay at the cottage."

I glance at him. "With you?"

His mouth curves. "No. I thought I'd give you the cottage and sleep outside in the mud."

I smile. "Very funny. And very noble."

"I have my moments."

I smile. "I'm beginning to notice."

His eyes meet mine. There's no bite in the look he gives me. Only amusement. "Come on."

We hurry to my car under one umbrella that isn’t quite large enough for both of us. Javier opens the driver’s door for me, leaving his right shoulder exposed to the rain while I climb in. Atlas settles in the back, and Javier slides into the passenger seat.

He directs me along the farms's higher drive to the cottage, well away from the flooded creek. We hurry from the car to the door under the umbrella, but my jeans are wet below the knees and his entire right shoulder is soaked.

“You gave me most of the umbrella,” I say.

“Your hair seemed important.”

I smile. “So is your shoulder.”

“It’ll dry.”

Inside, Atlas shakes himself vigorously. Water flies everywhere.

“Atlas!”

Javier closes his eyes. The dog looks delighted with himself

I start laughing. Javier grabs a towel.

"You think this is funny?"

"Yes, very."

"You're helping."

"I absolutely am not."

Atlas comes over and leans against my leg. I scratch behind his ears. "See? He agrees with me."

Javier looks down at Atlas. "Traitor."

Javier looks at me. Something warm passes between us. Easy. Familiar. He heads toward the hallway. "I'll find you something dry."

A few minutes later, I'm wearing gray sweatpants rolled at the waist and one of his old T-shirts. Everything is too big. Everything smells faintly like him. I like it.

I walk into the kitchen carrying my wet clothes. Javier has changed too. Dark sweatpants. Black T-shirt. Bare feet. He looks good.

I stop. He notices.

"Is there a problem?"