“It shouldn’t be too hard. I’m sure my inbox will be loaded with cases the minute I’m allowed to return.” He knocks his knee against mine. “What about you? Do you think your bear sacrifice will pay off with Heather?”
“I’m not too sure.” I shrug. “But I know I’m leaving here in a much better place with her than I was when we arrived. Not only do the rest of my colleagues see me in a different light but also, I confronted Heather. I attempted to clear the air with her, and I tried to be the bigger person. If she can’t accept that olive branch, then at least I know I tried and have a leg to stand on with the board.”
“I’m so damn proud of you, Blakely.”
Those seven simple words have emotions clogging my throat. So much so that I close my eyes to try to let it abate while I memorize everything about the moment. His warmth beside me, the way he makes me feel, the sound of the water lapping against the dock, the scent of his cologne, the complete and utter adoration I have for him, all cement themselves into my mind’s eye.
“You’re quiet,” he says, pulling me back to the present.
“I’m just enjoying this.” I rest my head against him.
“Did you just say you’re enjoying this? Outdoors. Nature. Not hanging out on a broken porch swing?”
“Yes. I do believe I am enjoying this.”
He pulls me in tight against him and gives me a bear hug before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Look at all this personal growth. Who knew?” His chuckle rumbles through his chest and into me.
“Hey, Slade?”
“Hmm?”
I tilt my head back to look at the moon, let everything I’ve learned about myself on this trip run through my mind, open my mouth, and let out the best attempt I can at a howl.
It’s lame and cheesy and ends in me laughing and burying my face in my hands, but at least I tried.
“That’s my girl!” Slade says as he joins in with a howl of his own before laying me back on the dock and kissing me.
Then undressing me.
Then making love to me.
One last time.
Blakely
“I do believe this is yours.”
I shut my car door behind me as Slade holds out the napkin. I bite my bottom lip and then smile when I look down at it.
“I think we did pretty damn good, don’t you?” he asks as my eyes slide down and stumble over the last line item. Taking it in my hand, I keep my gaze focused on it as I try to shove down my feelings that are tumbling out of control.
The last thing I want him to see swimming in my eyes is that I somehow forgot that last task was a joke.
It takes me a second to feel in enough control of my emotions before I can meet that blue-gray gaze of his. “We did, didn’t we?”
“We make a good team, you and me.” He reaches out to link his fingers with mine as I lean my back against my car. “There’s more to be done though.”
“Oh?” I say, forgetting the promotion line item and letting my hopes get the better of me.
“Yep. I do believe we have a bet we can’t determine the winner of yet. Apparently, satisfaction is measured in terms of a promotion when it comes to you.” He winks. “And since that’s yet to be determined, should we say that we’re in a holding pattern?”
“Yes. Agreed.” I swallow over the relief that I’ll get to see him again. “To be determined.”
He knocks his knuckles on the top of my car. “I’m sorry we had to take two cars up here, but I’m sure you’re probably sick of me and can’t wait to have some peace and quiet.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” They’re the only words I trust myself to say as another pang of sadness hits me.
“You sure you’re okay to make the drive?”
“Yes. Of course.” I bite my cheek and laugh nervously. How silly was I not to heed Prisha’s advice not to fall for him? How ridiculous was I to allow myself to think that last item on the list was a real thing?
“You sure?”
My smile is forced as I set my purse and the napkin inside my car. “So, what dastardly deed should I commit to break us up?” It’s stupid, and I shouldn’t have said it, but being nervous and keeping my mouth shut don’t work well together.
“Nah. Blame it on me.” His smile is soft, voice quiet. “Say my residency was too much and I couldn’t commit to giving you everything you deserve.”
“That isn’t something I’d say—”
“Anyone who knows me would agree with that statement, so it isn’t exactly a lie.” Another reticent smile that I read as an unspoken apology. “You deserve the world, Blake. Don’t you ever forget that.”
I stare at him, wondering if this is his way of telling me we’d never work. His eyes and his words aren’t matching up, but hell if I’m going to call him on it. Shouldn’t I just be happy that I got this time with him, that I was able to experience all there is about Slade Henderson and his eternal optimism, and not complain?
But I want to complain. I want to fist my hand in his shirt, yank him close so his mouth meets mine, and pour every ounce of emotion into the kiss so that when we part ways, he knows exactly how I feel.
Fear of rejection has me rooted in place and rocking on my heels in lost chances.
“Thanks. I guess.” Awkwardness consumes me.
“No need to thank me. It’s just the truth.” Slade reaches out and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, the heel of his hand lingering on the line of my jaw.
