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What happens with us when this retreat ends.
Do I just go home, and that’s the end of it?
I want to ask him, I do, but I’m also terrified of the answer.
If it’s not the one I want to hear, it’ll hurt and right now, I just want to enjoy him.
“What have you all got planned for us, for the final week?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Got a surprise tomorrow for you all, then we’re just goin’ to take it easy. Relax, spas, time out before you leave. I’m sure you ladies will come up with something to get yourselves into trouble before then.”
“We’re not that bad, surely?”
He grunts. “You’re fuckin’ sendin’ me grey.”
I snort. “Come on, we’re fine.”
He turns to give me another look.
“Okay, so we’re a little rebellious. You don’t know what it’s like having to be a mom all the time. We don’t get to go out and do these things often.”
“Can see that.”
I press my cheek into him, breathing him in and exhaling slowly.
I don’t want this to end.
I wish I could say that out loud.
I haven’t had a connection like this with someone before. So effortless. So enjoyable.
I know how much Hudson would like Enzo.
God, they’d get along so well.
I close my eyes.
Why do things have to be so complicated?
“What are you thinkin’ about?” Enzo asks.
“Just about how this week is going to go fast, and I don’t want it to.”
“Mmmm,” he murmurs.
“I’m sure you’ll find plenty of women to keep you entertained in the next group.”
It’s a joke, but when he doesn’t answer, I feel like perhaps he didn’t see it like that.
“Is that what you think? I just do this for fun?”
“No,” I say sitting up and turning towards him. “No, not at all. I was only joking.”
He studies my face. “Got no interest in anyone else right now.”
I give him a small smile.
“Well, that’s good, because I’m not ready to give it up just yet.”
He grabs my face, pulling me close and kissing me.
God dammit.
Why does he have to make this so hard?
We finally decide to leave the barn, figuring we had better get to sleep before it gets too late. Enzo still has to wake up early and work, as most men do when they’re working a ranch. He still makes the point of walking me back to the cabin and kissing me on the front stairs, like a god damned romantic movie.
I watch him go and exhale.
I’m doing a lot of that tonight.
“You two had a good night then?”
I turn to see Faye at the door, a smile on her face.
“You have no idea.”
“Have you told him how much you like him yet, or are you just going to leave and never take that chance?”
I give her a look.
She raises her brows. “What? You think everyone can’t see it? You two are obsessed. Just tell him, what have you got to lose?”
“We don’t even live in the same town. Hudson has Ronnie. I can’t just change my whole life.”
“Nobody said you had to. All I’m saying is tell him, you might just be able to see where it goes. You think about that stuff down the track.”
She’s right.
I know she’s right.
“I wish you weren’t so smart,” I mumble, walking past her.
She grins and follows me. “I’m sorry, are you admitting I’m right?”
“No.”
She laughs, throwing her arms around me from behind. “I know one thing is for certain, I’m going to miss you girls like crazy.”
She’s right about that.
I’ve grown awfully attached to these ladies.
It’s going to be a hard day when we have to part.
Hard indeed.
“KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED, ladies,” Rhett calls as we stand out the front of the main house.
We’re in a line and our eyes are closed, but I have no idea what they’re about to do. When we arrived, everything seemed quiet. We couldn’t see anything special, so I have absolutely no clue about what’s going to happen next. Either way, I’m excited. I keep my eyes closed and wait, for what I don’t know.
A few minutes later, Rhett instructs us to open our eyes.
Just as I do, I hear the giggle of a small child.
In front of us, are all our children. I know this because I see Hudson, standing in front of me, a big smile on his face. I cry out with joy and rush towards him, wrapping my arms around his little body and pulling him up against me so hard his feet come off the ground. He holds me just as tight, and tears burn under my eyelids. I didn’t realize just how much I was missing him until this moment.
I swipe the tear that escapes as I put him down, ruffling his hair. “You got so big, what has daddy been feeding you?”
Hudson grins. “A lot of pizza.”
“You have them for the day, ladies. Then they’ll be picked up later. So, enjoy yourselves. The retreat is yours to do with as you please.”
