“Hey, farmer.” I tilt my chin as he stoops down for another smooch.
“Happy new year, babe.”
Damn, he smells better than discussing feelings and making plans. I detect hidden undertones of happily ever after. “I missed you,” I purr against his lips.
“So much.” He passes me a pink paper cup that I recognize from Beanie Whirl. “For you.”
“No spills after I mauled you? That’s talent.” I take a sip of warm, chocolatey goodness. A hum of pleased tastebuds accompanies my shiver. “Just the way I love it.”
Reeve winks at me. “Maggie knows what you like.”
I peek up at him from underneath my lashes. He’s sporting several days’ worth of scruff. The longer stubble looks sexy enough to rub my cheek across while riding him to climax. Giddy up, farmer.
That vision vanishes when he clears his throat. “All good?”
The moan I release is nothing short of sultry. “Ohhh, yeah. Perfect.”
He chuckles. “Hold that thought, babe. I wanna hear about your visit home.”
Then we can focus on us. Yes, great plan.
“Let’s sit down.” I lace our fingers together and tug him to the couch.
We settle on the velvet cushions with most of my body sprawling on his lap. Nothing has felt so right in ten lengthy days.
Reeve rests a palm on my thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. “How was your trip?”
With a dreamy sigh, I recline against him. “Gah, it was freaking amazing. I spent almost three days straight with my family, which was a bit much. My brothers fought about football while I baked with my mom and sister. Typical stuff. I met up with Vannah, Clea, and Presley after the Christmas chaos was over. It’s easy to forget how much I love the city. Downtown is the place to be during the holidays. It was so great to be back in the madness for a while. We went to all of our favorite places in Minneapolis near campus. I had a blast reuniting with all my friends. Everything is more bright and shiny and exciting after being away.”
I prattle on with more details about specific places, including animated hand gestures and comical impressions. Maybe I’m getting too carried away. It’s not like Reeve knows who, what, or where I’m blabbing on about. I glance over to see his smile wilting. The initial interest glowing in his eyes has faded. Upon closer inspection, the sparkling blue is turning steely. He’s gone rigid and quiet beneath me, alarmingly so. I frown at his extreme shift.
“Are you not a fan of sushi?” I furrow my brow. “I figured since you’re such an expert fisherman, going to a Japanese restaurant would be a different spin—”
“You’ll never be happy here,” Reeve cuts in.
I’m still trying to stretch my brain around his attitude, so I almost don’t hear him. “What?”
He tips his head back, glaring at the ceiling. “I don’t think this is going to work.”
“Wait, what?” I repeat as the screech of brakes blares in my ears. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He clears his throat. “No, that’s a lie. Everything is a problem, actually. This entire situation between us.”
“Um, okay. Do you mean our friends-with-benefits deal?” If that’s the case, I was almost certain we would be considering expanding our terms.
His mask of indifference suggests otherwise. “As in you and me. Period.”
The stabbing emphasis he slams on that last word booms with finality.
“Where is this coming from?” I slink from my comfortable perch on his legs with a cringe.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. This temporary dating status isn’t good for me,” Reeve reiterates.
“Since when? I just talked to you an hour ago, and all was well.”
His shrug is limp. “I didn’t wanna do this over the phone.”
Holy shit. A boulder crushes my windpipe as I suck in a gasp. My mind rebels against his crass tone while my heart is already cracking. I scoot to the opposite end of the couch, as if that will grant me clarity. Even with moisture blurring his image, I lift my chin and stare him down. “Tell me why.”
“It’s not worth it.”
He means me. I’m not worth… what? Getting too attached? I don’t have to wonder long before he executes more blows.
“Or the risk of it. I don’t wanna see you get hurt.”
I rear back at that verbal slap. “I’m the only one with cards in this game?”
“It was fun and all, Audria. I just think it’s best we part ways before either of us gets more invested.”
No more babe endearment. I’m just a regular girl who was stupid enough to believe love can conquer any obstacle. All traces of tension wipe from my stricken features. A blast of furious anger rolls in with a fiery flush.
Clenching my fists, I stand from the sofa on rattling knees and begin pacing. I search frantically for something—anything—to keep my hands busy. I spot my bags waiting for me near the kitchen. Unpacking will help. It shows I’m still a resident of Bampton Valley—for six more months. My groan is barely audible as I wrench a tote off the ground and stomp toward my room. Reeve’s footsteps follow my path with blunt force against the hardwood.
“I should’ve known this would happen,” I snap.
“Probably.”
I spin on my heel. “Why are you being such a jerk?”
No sign of emotion crosses his flat features. Even his full lips rest in a smooth line. “This is me. I just did a good job hiding it.”
“That’s not true.” I refuse to believe it, at least. “You’re kind and caring and honorable. The man I know isn’t so… unnecessarily cruel.”
He grunts. “Guess that goes
