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I furrow my brow in concentration as we drive out of Winterdale, heading back up Snowfall Ridge. “Well…” I say after a while, “Maybe you could turn it into something new? A wedding venue?”
Nash looks deep in thought as we finally pull up outside the vacation cabin. He kills the engine and turns to me, an idea shining in his eyes.
“What about a retreat?” he says. “A retreat for people living with cancer. A place to come and relax.”
I clap my hands together triumphantly. “Nash, that’s a great idea! It would be perfect as a retreat, and it’s in such a great location too. You could really make a difference with something like that.”
Nash looks almost…excited? It’s not an expression I’ve ever seen him wear before, but I can practically see his mind whirring, filling with ideas for the retreat. There’s an air of determination about him, and I can already tell he’s going to dedicate himself to this idea.
Just as he finally snaps out of his thoughts long enough to get out of the truck and follow me into the cabin, my phone starts to ring, and my landlord’s name flashes on the screen. My stomach tightens uncomfortably as I answer the call with an apologetic look in Nash’s direction.
“Hi, Marie.”
“The apartment is dry,” my landlord says sharply, not bothering to say hello. “You can come back now.”
I suck in a breath. “Al-already? That was fast. I thought it was going to take a week—”
“Well, it didn’t. It dried faster than expected.”
“Oh. Okay, well, thanks for—”
She’s already ended the call.
I pocket my phone and sit down on the couch, my head spinning. I’ve been so lost in Nash and our magical New Year that I didn’t stop to think about the life waiting for me back in Denver. Now reality is hitting me with full force.
“You okay, sugar?” Nash asks, joining me on the couch. “What was that all about?”
“That was my landlord.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “My apartment has been drained. I can go back now.”
Nash is silent, and I bite my lip.
I could always come back and visit Nash…
This doesn’t have to be the end…
I’m trying to make myself feel better, but it’s not helping. If anything, it’s making things worse.
“I guess Denver isn’t so far away,” I say quietly, chancing a glance at Nash. His eyes are fixed on me, searching my face.
“Stay.”
I blink at him. “What?”
“Stay here, Ava.” He grabs my hands in his. “Live here with me.”
“Live…live with you?”
“I know it’s crazy.” Nash shakes his head impatiently. “I know it’s too soon. I know you’re too young for me. I know I don’t deserve you. Fuck, I know it all, but I don’t care. You’re all I want, beautiful. You’ve changed everything for me, and I can’t lose you. I just can’t.”
His hand reaches to cup my cheek, and before I can so much as breathe, he kisses me, his lips urgent against mine. My heart stutters as I kiss him back, wrapping my arms around his neck, losing myself in the familiar masculine scent of him. I’m lightheaded when he pulls away, and it takes a few moments for my mind to clear.
“You really mean it?” I ask breathlessly. “You’re sure?”
“More sure than I’ve ever been about anything.” He rests his forehead against mine, his hand stroking my hair as he murmurs, “I love you, Ava. I’m fucking crazy about you. I have been since the second I saw you, and every day the feeling gets stronger. You’re everything to me. Everything.”
My mouth is so dry I can hardly speak.
Is this really happening to me?
