Page 62 of Love Story

His murmur of “Goodnight” was the last thing I heard before his breathing deepened.

I want this forever.

I WAS ATthe stove, flipping pancakes, when I heard Ben’s soft footsteps behind me.I didn’t turn around immediately because I wanted to finish the last batch, but I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Morning,” he said, his voice rough with sleep.

I saw him standing in the doorway, wearing my sweatshirt and looking as if he belonged here.“Morning, sleepyhead,” I teased, sliding another pancake onto the growing stack.“I was beginning to think you’d sleep all day.”

Ben laughed, padding over to lean against the counter.“Your bed is too comfortable.I might never leave.”

I set the pan aside and turned to him, pulling him closer by the hem of his borrowed sweatshirt.“I wouldn’t complain if you didn’t,” I murmured before kissing him.

When we parted, I handed him a steaming mug of coffee.“Breakfast is almost ready,” I said, returning to the stove.

He eyed me over the rim of the mug.“You make the best coffee.”

I carried the plate of pancakes to the table, “Do you have any plans today?”

He shook his head, settling into a chair.“No.”

I hesitated, glancing out of the window at the bright morning light.“I was thinking about heading to a local trail.Want to come?”

Ben’s face lit up with that shy smile.“You don’t have to work?”

“I usually take two or three days to decompress and randomly check in on things, but apart from that, no.”

He glanced at his phone and frowned, but when he glanced up, he was smiling.“A walk sounds perfect.”

The pancakes tasted better than usual, though I’d never admit it was due to the company.Over breakfast, we discussed the trail, what we’d pack, and how long it might take.It wasn’t anything extraordinary—just a quiet morning in my kitchen—but it felt like everything I’d ever wanted when I stole some kisses.After we cleaned up, we packed a bag with snacks and water.He put on his clothes, and then we grabbed our coats and headed out.

The hike was slow, with the ground still damp and muddy in places from the melting snow.Ben stumbled a few times, and I caught his arm, teasing him about needing better boots.He laughed it off, but he clung to me a little longer than necessary each time.

I heard Ben’s breath hitch when we reached the clearing I had aimed for.The sunlight was muted, and the stream gurgled nearby, with ice cracking at the edges.It was as beautiful as ever, but seeing it through Ben’s eyes made it feel brand-new.

I couldn’t stop glancing at Ben as we walked, his eyes bright with wonder as the trail opened into the clearing.The view never failed to move me—Caldwell Crossing stretched out below, the lake shimmering in the distance, its surface mirroring the brilliant blue sky.But this time, it wasn’t the landscape that caught my attention.It was Ben.

Perfect.Beautiful.Ben.

“This is incredible,” he remarked as he absorbed the view.“You can see the entire town from up here.”

I stepped closer, slipping my arm around his waist.“It’s my favorite spot,” I admitted.“I come here when I need to think.”

He leaned into me, his head resting on my shoulder.“Thank you for sharing it with me.”

The world fell away as the moment stretched.This felt right—it was meant to happenexactlythis way.

“Ben?”I asked, turning to face him.

“Yeah?”His green eyes lifted to meet mine, and I swore I could see every vulnerable, hopeful thought swimming there.

“I know we haven’t known each other long, but… I like you.And I’d love to see where this could go.Maybe when you go back to Boston, I could visit, or you could come here?”

His lips parted, and my heart lodged in my throat for a second.He frowned, and I waited for him to voice all the fears in my head—that this had been nothing more than an interlude, something to tide him over until he returned to the city.He hesitated before letting out a breath.

“Sure,” was all he said.

Sure?I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that single word, but he held my hand, and we walked in silence until we reached the trailhead, and whatever was between us felt real.I let myself believe I could convince Ben to stay.

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