Chapter 47
Olivia
After breakfast, we head to the showers. Kade, of course, insists we should shower together, grinning like the devil he is, but the bold Male and Female signs on the doors put an end to that plan. He groans dramatically as I shoo him away, and I’m still smiling to myself as I step inside.
The water is warm as it hits my skin, washing away the last traces of sleep, but it’s more than that—it feels like it’s washing away the weight I didn’t even realize I was still carrying.
I can’t help but think about the woman I was before Mayridge. Before this town, before Kade, before I chose to save myself. At twenty-six, I hadn’t lived. I hadn’t really felt free. I was existing in the shell of a life built for me, not by me.
And yet now… everything is different.
Months later, I feel like someone else entirely. Freer. Stronger. Happier. The woman I was always meant to be.
Sure, the Fourth of July shook me. But the woman I am today?
She found her footing. She stood back up.
I stood back up. And I know I couldn’t have done it without the people who’ve surrounded me—Aubrey, Ivy…
and Kade most of all. He’s brought me laughter, safety, and a kind of quiet, steady love I never dreamed I’d have.
But deep down, I know the truth: this change started with me.
Because I wanted more.
Because I chose more.
Because I took the first step.
Kade’s just been the best kind of bonus.
I lose track of time until I hear his voice outside, playful, exasperated, and so completely him:
“Am I gonna have to come in there after you, Liv?”
I laugh softly, pulling the towel around me. “Don’t you dare,” I call back, grinning. “You’ll get us kicked off the lake.”
I dress slowly, tugging on fresh underwear and soft denim shorts. I hesitate on the bra, then smirk to myself, tossing it aside before pulling on a loose tank. Bras are overrated—and teasing Kade is definitely more fun.
When I step outside, the morning sun is higher now, warming my skin as I run a hand through my damp hair. Kade’s leaning against the side of the truck, arms crossed over his chest, one brow raised like he’s been waiting forever—even though I know it’s only been minutes.
The second his eyes find me, that slow, lazy smile I’m starting to crave curves across his face. His gaze dips—just for a beat—over my bare legs and the thin strap of my tank, and I see the exact moment he notices the lack of a bra.
“Jesus, Liv,” he smirks, shaking his head with a low laugh. “Are you trying to kill me?”
I roll my eyes, biting back a grin as I close the distance between us. “What? It’s hot.”
He hums, reaching for me without thinking, his hands settling at my waist like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “You keep looking at me like that,” he sighs, voice low and teasing, “we’re never making it out for this walk.”
I laugh, leaning into him, loving the way his touch doesn’t make me tense or guarded—just warm. Safe. Right. “We should probably get going,” I tease. “I want to soak in as much of this place as I can before we have to leave.”
We follow the winding trail along the lake until we find a quiet spot where the trees open up and the shoreline stretches wide and empty. The water glitters in the sunlight, gentle waves lapping at the rocks.
Kade stoops down, picks up a flat stone, and glances at me over his shoulder with that cocky grin I’m starting to recognize as trouble. “Ever skimmed stones?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Never.”
His eyebrows lift like I’ve just admitted something scandalous. “That’s unacceptable. Come here.”
I laugh, but let him tug me closer. He shows me how to hold the stone between my fingers, how to angle my wrist. I try—badly. The rock plunks straight down into the water without so much as a bounce.
“Hey,” I protest when he laughs, “don’t mock me. It’s harder than it looks.”
“Here,” he says, stepping behind me, his arms sliding around mine to guide my hands. His chest is warm against my back, his breath soft against my neck. “You’re overthinking it.”
I try again with his help. This time, the stone skims twice before sinking. I throw my arms up in triumph. “Did you see that? I did it!”
Kade grins, hands still on my hips. “That’s my girl.”
I turn, heart fluttering at the way he’s looking at me, and for a second, it feels like the whole world slows down.
He pulls me closer, arms slipping around my waist. “You’re a natural.”
I smile, breath catching. “I had a good teacher.”
I step back from Kade’s hold and lean down to grab another smooth stone, but the water shifts unexpectedly under my foot. I wobble for half a second, and when I catch myself, my heel kicks up a small wave that splashes right across Kade’s jeans.
He jumps back, laughing, and I’m already retreating as he steps into the shallows. “You really want to play that game, Liv?”
I hold my hands up, stifling a laugh. “Oh my God—I didn’t mean to!”
He glances down at the wet patch on his jeans, then back at me with a mock glare. “You sure about that? ‘Cause your face says otherwise.”
I laugh harder, half-covering my mouth. “I swear it was an accident!”
But I don’t get far. He lunges, catching me easily despite my squeal of protest. His arms wrap around me as he lifts me clean off my feet, spinning me around.
“Kade! Oh my God—truce! Truce!” I squeak, breathless and grinning.
I’m still laughing when he sets me down, but he doesn’t let go right away. His hands stay at my waist, steadying me as he leans in, his forehead nearly brushing mine.
“Truce, huh?” he jests, lips twitching with that damn grin. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
I roll my eyes, still smiling. “Lucky, huh?”
“Very,” he says, and there’s something in his voice—teasing, yes, but softer too. Warmer.
For a beat, we just stand there, the lake glistening in the background, the breeze tugging at my hair. His thumbs tracing absent circles against my hips, and I swear I could stay like this forever.
Eventually, Kade presses a quick kiss to my temple and pulls back. “Come on, baby. Let’s head back before I end up soaking both of us.”
I laugh, still flushed, as we start walking again, his fingers laced easily with mine. The morning stretches wide around us—golden light, birdsong, the quiet lap of the lake.
By the time we make it back to the truck, my cheeks hurt from smiling, and my heart feels impossibly light. The sun’s higher now, the lake glittering in the distance, and everything about this morning feels easy. Light.
When we reach Kade’s truck, he gives my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go to finish packing up the last of our things.
“You ready to head back?” he asks, flashing me a soft smile as he slams the tailgate shut. “We’ll be on the road for a few hours.”
I nod, though a small part of me wishes we could stay just a little longer. “Yeah. Ready.”
He brushes a strand of hair from my face before leaning in to kiss me—slow, unhurried, sweet. “Next time, we’ll stay longer,” he promises.
The words settle somewhere deep inside me—warm, steady, sure.
As we climb into the truck, Kade’s hand securely on my thigh, Blue Hollow Lake fading in the rearview mirror, I let the happiness sink in.
This—right here—is the future I want.
And I’m holding onto it with both hands.