Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
I’d been looking forward to this festival for weeks, but now all I could focus on was Abby.
Even when I was looking at the stage, I was hyperaware of her presence beside me—the way the wind sometimes blew her silky light brown hair against my arm, the way she’d hum in the back of her throat and close her eyes when she took a bite of kettle corn.
I’d already made a mental note to always have kettle corn on hand if this was her reaction.
If she moaned one more time, there would be no way to hide how hard her sounds made me.
“So,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Be honest—how close were you to faking a stomachache to get out of coming today?”
She smiled, a little crooked and a little shy. “Closer than I’d like to admit.”
“I figured since you said you don’t really do stuff like this.” I nudged her lightly with my shoulder. “But you’re glad you came, right?”
Her eyes flicked toward mine, and something shifted in the air between us. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I think I am.”
When the set was over, we decided to walk around and explore some of the booths.
None of us were in a rush, and I was grateful that Sam and Gordy seemed to get along, so I could have some time with Abby.
I hadn’t expected to run into her here, but I couldn’t deny it was helping move my plans along faster than I could’ve ever hoped for.
She was different today—far less guarded than she used to be with me.
“That’s a good color on you,” she said casually before stuffing some popcorn in her mouth.
I looked down at my blue shirt. “Yeah?”
“It brings out the blue in your eyes.” Her cheeks flushed pink and I knew it wasn’t from the heat. I don’t think she’d meant to say that, but I’d already tucked it away in my memory. If she liked me in this color, I’d fill my closet full of it.
We stopped by one of the booths that Sam wanted to look at. While we were standing there, Abby tipped her popcorn bag toward me. “Want some?”
Just then, the breeze picked up and a strand of her hair flew across her cheek. Without thinking, I reached up and brushed it away from her face, tucking it behind her ear.
Her breath caught and my gut clenched with so much need, my knees almost shook.
Fuck, I wanted to kiss her, to touch her, to make her fall apart beneath me.
My fingers hovered for a second too long, but she didn’t pull back. Her eyes were locked on mine, wide and uncertain, but also filled with what looked undeniably like the desire I was sure was reflected in my gaze.
If I leaned in, even a little, I knew what would happen.
And I wanted it more than my next breath.
But I wasn’t sure if she was ready for everything I wanted.
So I didn’t close the distance and kiss her like I was dying to.
Instead, I let my hand fall away, slowly, like I was trying not to spook her.
Her throat bobbed, and she looked away first, breaking the spell. “You’re different outside of tutoring,” she said after a moment, like she needed to fill the quiet.
“Yeah? Better or worse?”
Her lips twitched and her eyes filled with a playfulness that I was quickly growing addicted to. “Still deciding.”
I chuckled. “Fair. Let me know what I need to do to earn brownie points and I’ll do it.”
Her cheeks flushed the prettiest shade of pink. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Sam was still looking at the art prints and Gordy was watching her attentively.
“Wanna take a seat while they shop?”
“Sure.”
We ended up at the edge of the field again, near a half-shaded spot under a tree. It wasn’t exactly private, but it felt removed enough.
She sat first and tucked her legs underneath her while I dropped down beside her, resting my arms on my knees and pretending like I wasn’t still buzzing from our almost kiss.
“I wish I remembered,” I said before I could think the words through.
“Remembered what?”
“Freshman year.”
“The night we kissed?” she asked, her voice quiet.
I nodded. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since you told me. I remember…flashes. I remember being in my room, the party, someone laughing in my ear. I remember music. But not the kiss, and I hate that I don’t. Especially now.”
She looked over at me, her expression unreadable. “Why now?”
I held her gaze. “Because if I could go back, I wouldn’t waste it. I wouldn’t drink myself stupid. I’d remember every second.”
Her eyes widened, and for a breathless moment, she didn’t speak. Her lips parted slightly, like she was going to say something—but then she looked away again.
“I should probably find Sam,” she said, pushing herself to her feet.
I stood with her, not wanting the moment to end but knowing it had to.
She looked up at me. “Thanks for hanging out. This was nice.”
“Anytime, Abby.”
I meant it.
Something had shifted between us today and it gave me hope.
Later that night…
PeachyKeen:
Bear, I need a distraction.
Know any good Stardew mods that keep you from making stupid romantic choices?
BigBear88:
None that I’ve found.
If you download one, send it my way.
PeachyKeen:
I might be in trouble.
I think I’ve got a thing for someone. And not in a “hot farmhand” kind of way.
BigBear88:
Is it serious?
PeachyKeen:
Feels like a soft panic attack. But with butterflies.
BigBear88:
Sounds like a crush to me.
Want my advice?
PeachyKeen:
Always.
BigBear88:
If he’s got half a brain, he’s already falling back.
It was time for Phase Three.