Harry pulled into the driveway and Willow searched for the right thing to say. She wanted to tell him what a great day she had. She wanted to give him some clue as to how much fun he was to be around. But for the life of her, she couldn’t find words strong enough to convey all the things in her head and heart—especially considering it was way too soon to be feeling the way she was.
She placed her hand on his, traced a lazy circle around one of his knuckles, and looked deeply into his eyes. “Thank you,” she managed at last.
She meant thank you for all the different parts of who he was that connected so easily with all she was.
She meant thank you for seeing her. For hearing her.
Thank you for spending the day with her.
Thank you for a kiss that would forever change the course of her life. From that point forward, everything would be different because she’d met him. A tiny voice in the back of her brain spoke up, reminding her of the repercussions of that last thought, but she pushed it away and refocused on Harry.
Hoping he understood, she gazed into his eyes, and something so wonderful it hurt flooded her system when she saw that he did.
“No, Willow Tamran, thank you.”
“Can I see you again?” she asked.
He grinned as he brought her hand to his lips. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“Tomorrow?” She had never wanted someone to kiss her as badly as she wanted Harry to kiss her. Leaning close, she traced her hand up his arm and pressed her palm to his cheek. He closed his eyes and smiled at her touch. Without thinking, she leaned across the seat and kissed him, her lips barely grazing his.
She heard his breath catch in his throat and desire blazed to life in her body. Heat pooled between her thighs and she pulled away, awash in a combination of lust and tenderness she’d never experienced before.
“Until tomorrow,” she breathed, then climbed out of his car and dashed toward the porch, too keyed up to tolerate something as mundane as walking. She skipped up the steps and turned to wave as he pulled out of the driveway. The sun blazed down from its point in the sky and sent him off in a miracle of gleaming red paint and white leather, light dancing in his hair, and the memory of his skin against hers.
When he was out of sight, Willow waltzed into the house, humming to herself. “Oh Juuuliet!” she called. “I’m hoooome.”
A muffled series of curses and whispers came from upstairs, followed by a bout of giggling, some thumping, then more giggling before Juliet appeared in the bedroom doorway, wearing only Ian’s shirt and a sheepish grin. “Your timing is impeccable as always.”
Willow bit her lip and smiled. “You guys need me to leave?”
“Nope. We’ve…uhh…we’re good.” Juliet flashed a thumbs-up then looked at her hand as if it had acted of its own free will, before dropping her arm and blushing furiously.
“Hope you had fun,” Willow said as she wandered into the kitchen to check on the status of the coffee pot. It was late in the evening, but she never had a problem with caffeine the way some people did.
“You better believe we did,” Ian yelled from somewhere in the bedroom. Willow listened as Juliet chastised her fiancé, then, from the sound of it, leapt back into bed with him. Shaking her head at their enthusiasm, Willow washed out the empty carafe and filled it with water. She scooped coffee from a bag labeled ‘Good Beginnings Morning Blend’ into the filter and started the pot brewing.
With so many good people surrounding her in Bliss, it was becoming clear how Juliet ended up swept off her feet and decided to settle in the small town after she left New York. Happiness lived in the nooks and crannies of the house.
Willow waited for the coffee to brew and entertained herself by watching the ocean roll up to the sand, leaning against the window as the delicate aroma of the Morning Blend filled the kitchen. As the coffee maker gurgled happily on the counter, Juliet padded into the kitchen, her bare feet slapping on the tiles.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Willow said without looking away from the window.
“Don’t be. I’d apologize, but I’m not the least bit sorry for what just happened in there.”
Willow turned around and groaned. “Really? Too much information, Julz. No need to share the gory details.”
“Oh, but there is. It’s just that good.” Juliet sighed and leaned on the counter. She’d put on a simple sundress that showed off her tanned legs. Bliss looked good on her.
“Believe me, that’s more than enough sharing. But if it’s good enough for you to want to go there, then I’m really happy for you.”
“Speaking of happy, how was your time with Harry?”
Willow couldn’t stop the smile that lit up her face. She tried to hide it by opening the cabinet and digging for a coffee mug, but Juliet caught it anyway.
“Willie!” Juliet gasped. “Look at you. Are you falling for a Moore?”
“Who’s falling for a Moore?” Ian ambled into the kitchen, wearing only a pair of low hanging sweatpants. His chiseled chest and abs made Willow remember Harry running shirtless on the beach. Those Moore genes sure were something.
Willow shot Juliet a look as she poured herself some coffee. “I had a really nice time with your brother today. He’s very sweet.”
And he takes my breath away and I feel like I’m on the precipice of something big when we’re together but it’s ridiculous for me to feel that way. I live in New York and he lives here and we barely know each other. Like, at all.
“Harry’s a good guy.” Ian smiled and leaned on the counter. “But his job is his first love.
