Page 19 of Nashville Lights

“Nate?” I whispered again.

He stirred lightly, turning on his side to face me, but his eyes didn’t open.

Nate Boone looked so gently sunlit and gorgeous in that dusty old barn, I couldn’t help myself. I leaned closer. I kissed him. Slowly at first, because it was my first kiss. Sweetly. I loved him so much. He played the starring role in all the best memories I’d ever had. He was a sun-golden dream and the only thing I ever wanted.

I think it was me that deepened the kiss but it might have been him because he sort of hummed a growl when he woke up. Or maybe he thought he was dreaming. Because hekissedme. He opened my mouth with his, which shocked me a little at the time, and pulled me against his warm, hard body. It was hard in places I wasn’tusedto it being hard. Andbig. Pressed up against my stomach as he rolled me back in the hay. I loved the heaviness of him. His tongue was in my mouth and his hands were in my hair and the fiery love andneedin that one minute of sparked intimacy was like nothing I’d ever experienced.

I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy before or since, if I’m being honest.

But then he must haveactuallywoken up because he slowed himself down. To this day I’ve always been grateful he didn’t jump away as soon as he realized. He took his time. He knew he wouldn’t go any further, but he allowedhimself—and me—one more kiss. Tasting me and kissing me with such tenderness and so much heat, it’s no wonder I’ve never been able to get over him. It was a perfect, sweet, hungry, life-changing kiss.

I would have given him anything and everything that night.

“Roxie,” he whispered, his voice deep and smoky and as smooth as music.

“Yeah?”

“You know I can’t.”

I knew. The timing wasn’t right. I was fifteen and we were family. If my brothers had walked in on us right then, they might have hurt him, best friend or not. Theywouldhave hurt him. Maybe very badly. They were hot-headed, impulsive kids back then. “I wish you could.”

“I wish I could too.”

He smoothed my hair from my face. Then he shifted his weight like he was about to get up.

I held the front of his t-shirt with my fist, to keep him there. “Nate?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you,” I whispered.

There have been times, of course, between then and now that I’ve remembered those whispered words and I’ve cringed. But mostly I’m glad I said them. Because they were true.

Nate grinned down at me softly. Then he carefullyloosened my fist and lifted himself off of me. “See you around, Roxie Tucker.”

It was a goodbye, we both knew that. He left and, after a while, I went back inside and silently cried myself to sleep that night. And quite a few nights after that too.

I was pretty sure he avoided me on purpose because I didn’t see him again before we left for good.

“Rox?” Tobias is laughing. “Earth to Roxie Tucker.”

I smile and shake my head a little, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, both at spacing out like that and at the memory, which I haven’t thought about in that much detail for a long time. I don’t usually let myself because it digs up a special brand of something like pain or regret but not quite either that always feels raw.

“Sorry,” I grin. “I must be a little worn out from all the touring. What did I miss?”

“Poor dear,” Betty-Ann croons. “You must be exhausted, honey.”

“I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight,” I admit. “But it won’t be untilafterthis amazing dinner. Thank you so much, Betty-Ann. Tobias. Dee. Daisy,” I add. “It’s so nice to be here.”

“It’s so nice to have you here.” Tobias says. “And we were just saying that we’ll take you over to the lodge after dessert. If you’re not too tired.”

“The lodge? Is that the B&B?”

“The full name is The Sugar Mountain Lodge,” Dakota explains.

“I’m definitely up for the grand tour. I can’t wait.” I take a bite of the fried chicken. “Oh my god, this is incredible.”

“We aim to please,” grins Tobias.

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