Chapter 10
SYDNEY
“Turn left here.”
“Are you going to tell me where we are going?”
“You’ll follow this for another couple kilometers. I’ll tell you when to turn next.”
“I’ll take that as a no,” he grumbles.
“You’re acting like I’m leading you to your own demise.”
He glances at me with raised eyebrows. “I have no idea what you’re leading me to. And knowing some of the crazy things you’ve come up with in the past, my demise is not necessarily out of the realm of possibilities.”
I gasp dramatically and place a hand over my heart. “I can’t believe you think I would do that.” He looks at me with his signature scowl and my facade breaks into a giggle.
“See? My demise.”
Sighing, I rest my head back on the headrest. “Don’t worry. You’re perfectly safe. For now.”
His eyebrows furrow. “I’m sorry. Did you just say ‘for now?’”
I wink and reach over, lifting the warm to-go cup to my nose and inhaling the sweet smell of hot cocoa. Shimmying my shoulders, I relax into my seat while he squirms. Muahahahaha.
He likes to act like he’s here against his will, but who was the one who woke up early, drove thirty minutes out of town to pick up my favorite breakfast, and made sure the car was nice and toasty before we went out on this little adventure?
Here’s a hint. He’s tall, dark, devilishly handsome, and his primary way of communication is through grunts and growls.
He picks up his own drink and I can’t help but watch as he brings the rim to his lush lips.
My mouth parts when he takes a hefty gulp before licking away the whipped cream clinging to his skin.
My own tongue definitely doesn’t mimic the motion wishing it was his instead.
Nope. Because that would be too scandalous of a thought at only eight in the morning.
I catch a glimpse of color when he sets the cup back between us and fold my lips together.
He tells people he drinks his coffee black. Which is interesting because the last time I checked, plain coffee doesn’t include a double serving of whipped cream and sprinkles. SPRINKLES!
A giggle slips out before I can stop it at the thought of this big manly man and his pretty little drink. The noise catches his attention and his eyes shoot in my direction.
“Okay, seriously. What do you mean by ‘for now?’” There’s a slight uptick in his voice and I bite my lip. Do I detect a hint of nerves mister ‘nothing can ever ruffle my sleek midnight black feathers?’
I hum dismissively and take another delicious mouthful of my hot cocoa as my eyes cast out through the passenger side window. “Oh look! It’s snowing again!”
I practically plaster my face against the glass and stare out as thick clumps of snow fall from the sky. Glancing over my shoulder, I catch Lawson’s eye before he refocuses back on the road ahead of him. My stomach flutters at the small smirk I can tell he tried, yet failed, to conceal.
“You’ve always loved the snow.”
I settle back in my seat. “I mean, who doesn’t? It’s all just so… pretty.”
“It is.” His reply is so quiet that I almost don’t hear him.
I look over just as he turns his head away. He doesn’t move for the next couple of minutes and neither do I. Just like I have been since the day I saw that boy crouched on the pavement outside of his house all those years ago, I find myself caught up in the mere sight of him.
That pull has only grown as we have. To the point I’m afraid there’s never going to be someone else I’ll be drawn to this way. Like I would ever want that anyway.
I’ve always been a hopeless romantic, just like my brother. I mean, we had the perfect example of what true and earth shattering love is supposed to be like. Growing up with our parents, how could we not?
Our days were spent in a symphony of laughter, Dad always finding a way to make not only our days shine bright, but show his wife just how much she means to him.
Our evenings flowed from one slow dance to another as he would whisk her around the kitchen while Jace and I watched from the dinner table.
And our nights were filled with the stories of before they found their happily ever after. How, through whatever the universe tried to throw their way, they never lost sight of their dreams or of each other.
So, yeah, I’m a big ball of mush when it comes to romance and love.
I read all those silly little romance books that someone likes to tease me about.
My favorite holiday is Valentine’s Day, and not only because it revolves around my favorite color.
And I will always choose the sappy romantic comedy over an action packed, big blast as the heroes walk away in slow motion, kind of film.
That’s just me. An unapologetic romantic.
Who has been and will probably always be hopelessly in love with Lawson Moore.
My phone dings and I look down at the GPS app. “Take the next left. Then it should be just down that road on our right.”
Lawson pulls his all black—shocker—Range Rover onto the snow-covered dirt road. I bounce in my seat as the big wooden sign for our destination comes into view.
“Sydney…” He turns into a parking spot alongside the large stone and wood building. I squeal, wiggling in my seat as my excitement bubbles up to the surface. “Syd, I don’t know about this.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, come on. You’re going to love it.”
“What makes you so sure?”
Leaning over the center console, I hold out my pinky. “Trust me?”
His eyes bounce between me, the building, and my extended finger. With one last glance out the windshield, he sighs and locks his gaze with mine. My smile grows at the softening I see in the usually hardened dark pools.
Slowly, he moves his hand up to mine and wraps his tattooed pinky around mine. “I trust you. Always.” He whispers the last part and before I can stop myself I lean over and softly brush my lips over his stubbled cheek.
His entire body tenses and I pull back slightly. I convince myself that I’m only imagining the way his eyes drop to my mouth. Or how his tongue peeks out to wet his lips. Or how his finger tightens around mine before he slowly pulls away.
I blink, realizing I’m practically hanging over his lap at this point and quickly shove myself back into my seat. A breath rushes out of me and I tuck my hair behind my ears.
Glancing up at the building, I watch as the front door swings open and a family of three walk out, the son bounding down the stairs with his new best friend.
Glancing over at Lawson, I flash him a smile, still struggling to breathe through the now thickened air in the car. Nodding towards the door, I playfully push his arm. “Come on. Let’s see if we can’t go find the sunshine to your darkness.”
He mumbles something under his breath as I unbuckle my seatbelt and throw open my door. I’m jumping in place at the front of the car when he finally joins me.
His hands are shoved into the pockets of his black jean jacket and the hood of his black hoodie is snug over his finger-combed hair. He eyes the welcome sign hanging on the front porch and I throw my head back on a groan.
Stepping up to his side, I thread my arm through his and tug him along with me. “They’re not going to bite.”
“Some of them might.”
Pausing on the top step, I twist towards him and tilt my head. “Actually, yeah. Some might. But that just means they aren’t the one for you.”
“Sydney, I do not want to be bitten.”
“Really? I thought that kind of thing would be right up your alley.”
His eyebrows crease. “What the hell are you—Sydney Michelle Collins!”
I cackle and skip the rest of the way to the entrance. Pulling the door open in a flourish, I curtsy and toss my arm out. “After you, sir.”
Growling, he walks over towards me. I freeze when he pauses with one foot over the threshold and looks down at me. “You really think this will help?”
I straighten and give him a sincere smile, placing my hand on his arm. “I do. In more ways than one.” He stares at me a moment before sighing. I follow him through the doorway and up to the front desk.
“Welcome to Second Chance Farms, how can we help you today?”
I perch my hands on the countertop and beam at the kind woman sitting behind the computer. “Hi! We are interested in looking for someone special for this big guy.” I nudge Lawson’s arm and her eyes freeze on him when his low baritone voice greets her.
It’s quiet for a moment as she continues to stare at him. He shuffles from foot to foot, looking anywhere but at her. Okay! I get it, he’s hot, but you can stop staring now.
I clear my throat and she jumps. Her eyes move to me and her cheeks tint a bright shade of red. “Yes,” she says a touch too loud and stands from her seat. “Of course. Do you have anyone particular in mind, or—”
“Is it possible for us to just look around to start? See who really calls to us?” I cut her off, not wanting to be rude, but also not wanting to spend the next however long watching her look at Lawson with hearts in her eyes.
Her head bobs animately. “Yes! Of course. You can go right through this door. If you find someone you would like to see in a more private setting, you can come back up here and I’ll get one of the rooms set up for you.”
“That’s perfect. Thank you so much—”
“Mackenzie.”
I return her smile with one of my own. “Thank you, Mackenzie. Just through here, yeah?” I step towards the door she motioned at.
She nods. “Yep! Right through there. The entire back room is set up in rows, with other small rooms off to the sides. Again, just let me know if anyone catches your attention.” Her own brown eyes lock on Lawson as she says the last part.
I clench my teeth and step closer to the suddenly mute man. “Awesome. Thanks.”
Before she can say anything more, I practically drag Lawson through the doorway. I let go as soon as it closes and huff out a breath. His low chuckle fills the small hallway and I glare up at him.
“What’s so funny?”
He smirks down at me. “Nothing, sunshine. Nothing at all.”
A sound from the other side of the next door catches my attention and I quickly shake off the unexpectant surge of jealousy.