Chapter 24
Adrian
It’s been a week and a half since I’ve seen her. Work has been hectic, and she’s had family stuff going on after work. The texts help, but they’re not enough… not even close. I need to see her face, hear her laugh, feel her next to me.
We agreed to meet at our spot, and since then, I’ve been thinking about her all the time, counting down the days, the hours, the damn minutes until I see her again.
I pull into town early, parking outside Genevieve’s. The Cozy Point is warm and buzzing with people, and I swear each time I walk in here that the smell of coffee and butter take over my senses.
Heading straight for the counter, I order her favorite pie, two coffees, and a few extra things I know Amelia likes.
Genevieve gives me a look as she hands me the cups.
I pretend not to notice. She probably assumes the second coffee is for Keith.
I try not to overthink it. But it’s hard when every little detail feels like a secret I’m holding too tightly.
If she gets this promotion, I want to stop hiding. I’d want her. Openly.
The drive to our spot is a blur. When I get there, I park near the bridge and take a deep breath, my pulse already picking up. The air is crisp, the kind that bites at my skin, but I barely feel it. If anything, I’m sweating.
I grab the small vase I borrowed from Keith’s place, then search along the creek for wildflowers.
It’s not much, but it’s something to show I care.
I set up the food on the table near the bridge, out of full view, because I know we won’t kiss if someone could see.
I lay out a blanket, ready to cover her legs with, arrange the food, and place the vase in the center. Then I wait.
The time we fucked in the car has shifted something between us: the way she looked at me, and felt in my arms, was different.
But I need to know where her head is at, need to understand what this is becoming.
Because for me, it’s not casual anymore.
I’m starting to have strong feelings for her, and I’m hoping she feels the same.
I can’t see the road from here, so I listen instead. The crunch of tires on gravel. A car door shutting. Light footsteps. My chest tightens. It’s her.
I get up, brushing the dirt off my pants, adjusting my coat, running a hand through my hair.
She’s wearing a cream cable-knit sweater and jeans today. A caramel coat wraps around her shoulders, her hair pinned half-up, two strands around her face slipping free in the wind. She looks breathtaking. Like something out of a dream.
She smiles when she sees me. I smile back.
“Hi.”
“Hi, Trouble.” I step forward, hands naturally finding her waist, pulling her in before she can react. I kiss her like I’ve been starving for it. Because I have. She melts against me, her fingers gripping my coat, her body fitting against mine like she belongs there.
I want more. But not today. Today is about something else.
I pull back, brushing my thumb against her cheek. “Come here.”
She follows as I grab her hand, letting me guide her to the table. I take her handbag, setting it aside, watching as her eyes widen at the setup. Then I lay the blanket over her legs.
“Oh my gosh,” she breathes. “This is gorgeous.”
“Thanks for coming.” I hesitate, searching her face. “I missed you.”
A slow smile curves her lips. “I missed you too.”
I take the seat across from her. She sips her coffee, eyes closing in appreciation.
“How’s your week been?” I ask.
She shrugs, lowering the cup to the table. “Same old. Still covering trivial news. Luna’s been out of town, so I haven’t gotten any updates on the promotion.”
I nod, my grip tightening around my cup. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
She watches me carefully. “What about it?”
This is it. The moment I’ve been dreading. My stomach churns because I know what I’m about to tell her could change everything between us. I hesitate. “Do you think she’s already picked someone?”
Her expression falters. “I don’t know. It’s possible. But I’ve known Luna a long time, so she would’ve told me right away.”
I nod, my thumb rubbing over her knuckles. “And if they pick someone else? Would you leave? Look for a new job somewhere else?”
“Why? Do you want me to leave?”
“No,” I say quickly. “God, no. I just… I don’t want you stuck in a job you hate. You’re young, smart, and you could do so much more. I…” I let out a breath. “I don’t want you to give up on something better and settle.”
She presses her lips together, thinking. Then she sighs, long and slow. “I know,” she murmurs. “I know, but I…” She stops. And I wait. Her shoulders rise and fall as she gathers her thoughts. “Can’t leave my mom,” she says finally, her voice quieter now. “I can’t leave my family.”
I nod, watching the way her other hand fidgets with the hem of her cardigan. Her loyalty to her family is something I admire, even if it complicates things. She’s not running away from responsibility; she’s choosing it. That takes strength.
“It’s not just about what I do for Mom.” She continues. “The specialist says once she’s healthy, she’ll be back to normal. And I believe that. I do.” Hesitating, she bites her lip. “But it’s more than that. I don’t want to miss them growing up. I want to be here. I want to see it all.”
A heavy knot forms in my throat. I get that. More than she probably realizes.
“I had a lot of fun hanging out with Hazel,” I admit, shifting to face her better. “I told her that it felt like I was borrowing a little sister.”
She laughs, and it eases something in my chest.
“Oh yeah, I heard about that,” she says, eyes twinkling. “She also mentioned the flowers were for me.”
Her gaze glances down to the table, where my fingers trace patterns on the back of her hand.
My heart beats loud in my ears, caught between embarrassment and satisfaction.
“Obviously, I couldn’t tell Leila that it was for you,” I add. “So I told her I needed a big enough bunch for the whole family.”
She laughs again, shaking her head. “Hazel didn’t buy it.”
I pause, watching her expression closely. “Do you think she’ll tell anyone?”
She shakes her head immediately. “No way. She knows how much this promotion means to me. I trust her.”
A warmth spreads through me at her certainty. “I trust her too. Even spending just a little time with her, I’ve never met a sixteen-year-old like her.”
She shifts, pulling her knees up and resting her chin on them. “She’s a good kid.”
“Your family is amazing, you know?”
She grins. “Amazingly chaotic.”
I chuckle.
She studies me like she’s seeing something new. “You fit into this town, Adrian. We’re lucky to have you.”
My chest tightens. It’s one thing to feel like I have a place in this town, but hearing her say it? That hits differently.
I clear my throat, glancing away. “Well, Hazel made my day, too. Going to the retirement home, even getting a grilling from Mr. Gideon, it was… I don’t know.
It felt good. Giving back.” I pause, running a hand through my hair.
“I mean, yeah, I help Keith with his place, but this was different. Getting my hands dirty, actually doing something useful, felt good. It’s not something I did much in the city. ”
She watches me closely. “You really like it here, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do. I didn’t expect it, but I’ve realized how much I love being outside. Fresh air, even in winter. All of it. And I’d love to help Hazel again, if I can swing the days off work.”
“She’d love that.” Then, thoughtfully, she adds, “You know, she’s going to make such an impact in this town, helping people who really need it.”
I nod. “I agree. And even if Hazel wasn’t there, I wouldn’t mind helping out again.
It’s actually got me thinking—how much time do I really have?
Maybe once a month, I could offer a couple of hours at the retirement home, help with small repairs, or whatever they need.
Some of them don’t have much help, but even a little effort means the world to them. ”
She bites her lip, smiling at me in that way that tightens my jaw. “That’s what makes you, you,” she says softly. “You care.”
I shrug, a little embarrassed, but her words stick with me.
Then she hesitates, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually, speaking of that. I wanted to ask you something.”
“Go on.”
She shifts and sits up straighter. “I had to check with you first, but… how would you feel about me writing an article about you and Hazel helping at the retirement village?”
“An article? I don’t mind, I guess. At least the article would put me in a positive light. And maybe it would encourage others to volunteer as well.”
She nods, pulling out her phone. “I’ve already drafted the start of it, but I wanted to run it by you before I do anything with it.”
I glance at the phone in her hands, then back at her. She looks almost nervous, like she’s unsure of my answer.
And suddenly, I realize, I like that she’s asking. I like that she cares what I think.
I lean in. “Well, that depends. Does this article mention how good-looking I am?”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Oh, my God.”
“Because I think that’s important information,” I add, winking.
She groans and playfully nudges me with her shoulder. “I take it back. You don’t fit into this town.”
“We’d have to do another photoshoot. I suppose I can find time to pose,” I joke.
“You’re insufferable,” she says through a giggle.
“Honestly, I don’t mind, but don’t you think it’s going to start looking a little suss if you keep writing articles about me?”
She laughs. “I don’t think so. News has been slow lately. Other than you, the only interesting thing that’s happened is that out-of-towner who was supposed to be your ex.”
With a sigh, I shake my head. “I still have no idea where they got that from. The poor girl has nothing to do with me, yet somehow, she was tied to me. I don’t know where Dr. Whisperer gets their gossip, but damn, they’re creative.
” I still have no idea who this mystery woman even was or why anyone would think she was connected to me.
Amelia grins. “Hey, at least you’re keeping the town entertained.”
“Great,” I say dryly, though I can’t help but smile. “But I guess it’s not a bad thing, since you’re keeping the paper alive.”
She hums in agreement. “Exactly. So, I don’t think anyone will question it.”
I watch her for a moment, then shift closer, my voice quieter now.
“So, we’re just waiting on your boss to give you that promotion.
And then, what’s our plan?” My heart pounds as I ask.
I need to know if she’s thinking about us the same way I am.
If she wants something real, or if I’m getting ahead of myself.
“What do you mean?” She shifts in the seat.
I reach over, gently taking her hand in mine, our fingers threading together. We both watch the way they fit, like it’s something worth holding on to.
“I mean, what do you want it to be?”
She looks up at me, her eyes soft. “I like you, Adrian.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “A lot.”
A painful pressure builds behind my ribs. What if she doesn’t want the same thing? What if I’m about to scare her off?
I smile, squeezing her hand in mine. “I like you too, Amelia. I want us to be together.”
Her breath hitches, and for a second, she just looks at me. Then she smiles, small but sure. “I’d like that too.”
I give her hand a light tug, pulling her a little closer.
“So after the promotion, could we date?” “Yes. Definitely.”
Relief floods me, and I grin, capturing her lips in a kiss. She leans into it, and for a moment, it’s just us.
Then, the sound of rustling nearby makes us pull apart.
Turning my head, I freeze. “What the hell?”
Russell is staring me down at the end of the table. Russell, the damn turkey. And he’s not alone. He’s brought an entire tribe—Turkeys, geese, swans, ducks—every damn bird imaginable is closing in around us.
“Amelia, what’s going on?”
She stares wide-eyed at the growing army of feathers. “I don’t know,” she whispers. “But I’m slightly terrified. There are a lot of birds.”
I nod slowly. “Okay. Don’t move. Let’s just see what Russell’s up to.”
Asshole.
Russell takes a bold step forward, his beady eyes locked onto me like he knows I just called him an asshole in my head. I press my lips together. “Uh, sorry.”
He steps closer.
So do the rest of them.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath.
And then one of the birds lets out an ear-piercing squawk, and suddenly, they charge.
“Run!” Amelia shrieks.
We bolt, laughing, abandoning everything—blanket, vase, food, coffee—and sprint toward her car, birds flapping and screeching behind us.
The first raindrop lands on my cheek.
I glance up. More follow, light and steady. Of course. The perfect ending to our crazy afternoon.
Amelia wipes a drop from her forehead and starts giggling.
I laugh too, shaking my head. “This is not the date I had in mind.”
She grins. “No, but it’s us. And it’s kind of perfect.”