Page 119 of Country Contract

Damn, that sounds nice.

“Marie is nice. If I steal that, don’t be mad,” he jokes.

Turning in his arms, I kiss his lips.

“How cool would that be? If our kids had matching middle names. A strange but purposeful connection.” I offer.

“I don’t know if Heath will appreciate it.”

It hurts when he mentions him. I don’t want to hurt Harrison any more than I have. Hell, I don’t want to hurt this bad either.

“What’s your opinion on Christmas?”

“I like Christmas, but I can’t wait for Christmas as a dad. Even as an uncle now, it’s better than when we were kids, but setting everything up with my wife while my kids sleep the night before and then watching their pure joy in the morning. I can’t wait.”

“That’s really sweet.”

“I know. I’m sweet, remember?”

How will I ever be able to forget?

We talk more about stupid shit. Things we did when we were kids that we were embarrassed about. What our favorite sandwich is. How we would handle being stranded on an island or in a zombie apocalypse.

I’m getting so tired I’m talking and listening with my eyes closed. When the realization that I’m falling asleep hits me I sit up quickly.

“What?” Harrison’s voice is full of concern.

“I don’t want to fall asleep. Because then it will be tomorrow when I wake up, and I have to leave.”

He chuckles and pulls me back down.

“Sleep, witch. You have a long drive and flight ahead of you. Sleep.”

He pulls me close, cradling me in his strong arms, and presses his lips to each of my eyelids. I couldn’t fight the sleep if I wanted to.

When we wake up, the room is heavy with a sense of misery. My mind reels with thoughts of how I can be so sad to leave this small town and this man’s bed after only two months when I had walked away unscathed from relationships that lasted years.

Harrison gets out of bed first, brushing my hair out of my face and kissing my forehead.

“You get ready. I’ll make coffee.”

My bags are already packed, the tote with my manuscripts taped shut. Everything is ready to go except for me. My shower is quick since it’s not a hair day, and when I walk downstairs, I find Harrison. He’s wearing only jeans, leaning against the counter, ankles crossed, one hand gripping the edge of the counter and the other pinching the bridge of his nose. His head is down, and his messy hair falls over his perfect eyes. Cleo gets to him before me, and he sighs before scooping her up.

Holding her comfortably in his arms, he gives her a quick peck on the head and then looks over to me. I break all over again seeing the water pooling in his blue eyes. He gives me a weak smile, and I return it.

Coffee is quiet but we drink together, Cleo in his arms.

Listen, if I didn’t think Harrison was hot before, him shirtless and holding my cat is something else. I doubt mychoices in pursuing him and being able to walk away, but there is nothing I can do.

“I don’t know how to say goodbye to you.” My throat feels raw.

“We said goodbye for hours last night.” He winks at me and gives me the feeling that even though this hurts, we’ll be alright.

Harrison drives behind me to the main house where I say bye to Cassidy, Hunter, Blake, and their parents. Everyone gives me warm hugs and tells me to come back whenever I want, reservation or not. Mrs. Hill tries again to get my tiramisu recipe, and I only disappoint her with my refusal.

The final walk to my car from Hunter’s place, where this all started, is painful. Harrison doesn’t care about eyes being on us; he holds my hand and presses me against my car.

“What about your—” I’m silenced with a sweet kiss.

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