I don’t want that to go away, but I also don’t know how we are going to navigate this.
I start moving things around in the shop to prepare for what needs to be moved to the cabins so I’m not hauling things back and forth constantly. Our new relationship won’t change anything about my commitment. About twenty minutes in, I hear a noise in the parking lot.
Moving to check it out, I spot Shay, Sadie, and Brooke.
All three women are giggling as they share hugs. I stand in the doorway, leaning on the frame.
Now, I knew they were all friends, but they don’t normally blast it on account of the fact that Shay’s family doesn't care for me or mine now and Sadie is dating my brother, but to see her with my future sister-in-law makes me like her even more.
They look so comfortable around each other. She’d fit in with my family perfectly.
Which is crazy to think about.
We’ve kissed twice, plus a little more, and haven't even had sex. Yet, here I am thinking of how, despite that, I know I need her in my life.
Suddenly, the laughter stops and all three women are staring at me.
“Ladies.” I walk toward them.
Brooke pushes Shay gently from behind.
Sadie waves from behind Shay, who has completely stolen my attention.
She’s wearing a pair of cutoff jean shorts like usual and a T-shirt that hangs off her shoulder. Today’s heat is still high, so her messy bun falls around her face, a strand of hair here and there sticking to her cheek.
I grin as she blushes, her eyes never leaving mine.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi.”
I can’t help it. I chuckle.
It’s not even weird. Instead, it’s like this greeting is just a tease for the tension that will build up tonight.
I hope we get work done, but I hope we don’t. The look she’s giving me makes me want to grab her and kiss her, and I don’t care who’s watching.
She rolls her eyes, the same as she’s always done, but this time there is a pink tint on her cheeks as she passes me.
I glance over my shoulder to make sure she gets inside safely and then I look back at Sadie. Brooke’s already back in the car.
“Thank you for driving her.”
“Of course. We got carried away, and I didn’t want her walking.”
“I appreciate that.”
I expect Sadie to get into her car as well, but instead she stands there, smiling at me.
“What?”
“I don’t know.”
“Okay.” I chuckle and then take a step backward. “I better get to work.”
She waves, but as soon as I turn, she calls out my name.
“Yeah?”