Page 156 of Three Reckless Words

I gladly listen.

I expecthim to take me home.

At first, we’re heading in that direction, but before we’re too far down the road, we turn off down another minor road surrounded by leafy trees. Archer’s hands are white-knuckled, tight on the wheel, and he doesn’t say much.

Every so often, though, he puts a hand on my leg.

It’s this silent, sweet assurance he’s still here.

Still thinking about me.

Still checking in.

It makes my chest feel like it’s too big for my body. Like if I’m not careful, I might just pop like a balloon from too much feeling.

The route he’s chosen leads deep into the forest, and I watch as the trees swallow the landscape.

It’s gorgeous, this path through dense greenery that feels like a well-kept secret, just as quiet and tucked away as Solitude itself.

Maybe that’s the point. Archer, he’s like me—he craves the silence, peace without worries and no one else around to tangle you up in their woes.

I’m not used to feeling this about another person.

Even Lyssie, as much as I love her, can get annoying sometimes. She’s a great friend, but she’s not a perfect puzzle piece who instantly snaps in to complete my life.

If I wasn’t scared he’d bolt like a frightened rabbit, I’d be tempted to tell him how much this means, howconnectedI feel.

Right now, we’re two halves of a whole. Whatever corny phrase doesn’t feel as devastating as ‘soulmate.’

But Iamscared.

Scared he would dump me on the side of the road if I confessed my feelings and hightail it back to Kansas City, so I wait until he’s driven deeper into these woods.

Of course, he’s way too much of a gentleman to do that, but the jittery rabbit in my brain won’t let me ruin a good thing.

There’s a little parking space off the side of the road, a rest stop of sorts made from a mix of dried mud and gravel. He pulls over there.

The vehicle shuts off.

In the silence, I look at him again, very slowly like I want to hide behind my hands.

In the dappled light coming through the trees, he’s a patchwork of sun and shadows, the human version of a mountain catching the sun.

For a second, I freeze.

My irrational side reaches peak self-loathing when I’m actually terrified he might lay down the law right here and end things.

What if that kiss was a goodbye? And now here comes the breakup in this calm, beautiful place he’s chosen to soften the blow.

I inhale so sharply I almost choke.

But his big hand on my leg lingers, screaming reassurance.

It’s sogentle. That’s not what someone who’s about to go full heartbreaker does, right?

Not that I’m his partner or girlfriend or we’re technically together. He made that clear with his mother.

I’m sure that whole mess gives him plenty to regret.

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