Page 10 of Another June with You

Micah opened the door and retrieved her camera bag before she had a chance to change her mind.

Shannon let them in the building, and they climbed the two flights of stairs to Apartment C.

Vanilla again. Everywhere vanilla. He could get lost in it. Just close his eyes and inhale it all until he was high on that scent. And better yet if Shannon were wrapped up in his arms where he could enjoy the fragrance up close and personal. Oh, I’m in trouble here.

She stepped to the side to let him into the apartment, then closed the door behind them.

The sound of the door clicking shut made his pulse stutter for some reason. Maybe the fact that they were alone together in her apartment, alone for the first time in ten years. And that he couldn’t seem to control his thoughts when it came to her.

“So, this is it.” She waved her arms back and forth as she pointed out the kitchen, the dining area, a bathroom, and her bedroom.

Her bedroom door was open, and he could see her bed was made with a simple white comforter and a few throw pillows, and folded on the end of her bed was her favorite patchwork quilt—the one her grandmother and great aunts had made for her as a high school graduation gift.

Something inside him stirred, remembering lying in the back of his truck with her, snuggled up under that very quilt. The sky had been so dark that night, the stars so bright. There had been a chill in the air, but he hadn’t felt it. She’d been so warm, so soft. Nothing and nobody on the planet had existed but the two of them. That was the last time he’d ever held her in his arms, felt her body against his, tasted her sweet kisses.

“Micah?” Her voice broke through his thoughts.

“Huh?”

“I thought you had to use the bathroom.”

“Right.” His pulse was racing. “I was just checking out the apartment.”

“And?”

“It’s an apartment.”

She frowned. “Well, it’s all my budget will allow.”

“I wasn’t dissing it, but it’s not the house on the water you always dreamed of.”

The frown became a scowl. “I haven’t stopped dreaming, Micah. I’m working hard to get where I want to be.”

“I believe it.” He wasn’t sure how this conversation had gone south so quickly. Maybe the earlier girlfriend conversation. He wanted to turn things around. And fast. “I believe in you. I always have.”

Her expression softened.

“If there’s anyone who can dream big, then set goals to get there, it’s you. I’ve always admired that about you.” And so many other things.

There it was. The smile that could make a man weak in the knees.

“Thank you.” There was a shyness in her he wasn’t used to seeing.

His fingers twitched at the sight of a section of her hair that had fallen from her ponytail and slipped forward over her left eye, covering her slightly downturned face like a veil. He squeezed them into a fist, fighting himself, wanting badly to run them through the softness, to tuck the silky strands behind that cute little ear of hers.

“Well, thanks for the ride.” She was fidgeting.

“Do you want me to go?” he asked.

She tilted her head up, her hair sliding away from her face again, and her rich brown eyes met his. “I’m sure you have better things to do. Wedding stuff with Chase or something.”

He shrugged his shoulders. He did. The guys were all getting together at Keely’s parents’ house to grill out, but that wasn’t for hours.

“It’s fine. You can go, Micah.”

“Do you have plans tonight?” He had no control over the words coming from his mouth.

“Big plans,” she replied.

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