Page 89 of Lovewell Lane

I blinked at him. “You remembered.”

“You told Tessa at the aquarium, and she wouldn’t let me forget. I figured you could use a pick me up while preparing for tomorrow.”

“I’m doing just fine.”

“You’re elbow-deep in butter and planning on baking throughout the entire night.”

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the bowl. “I might finish before four in the morning.”

“Let me help,” he said, stepping behind the counter to grab a dish towel, “I’ve been told I’m great at cleaning.”

He got to work without asking, rinsing mixing bowls while I put in another batch of croissants. The silence between us was comfortable. Until I decided to interrupt it to bring up the mood. If I was going to stay up all night, I needed music.

ACDCfilled the air and Derek hung his head between his shoulders. They shook inaudibly as he laughed.

I waited patiently for him to get comfortable and start singing. We had a singathon for about an hour until my cheeks ached from smiling so much. He was such a dork.

Eventually, he dried his hands and leaned against the prep table.

“Here,” he said, holding out the bag. “Happy early birthday.”

I eyed it suspiciously. “What could you have possibly gotten me?”

He smirked. “Open it.”

I pulled out a small hardcover notebook and a sparkly pink pen. The cover of the journal was worn leather. On the title page, he’d written a note in small, careful handwriting.

For your plans to save the world.

Something caught in my throat.

“I figured you needed a new one,” he said, suddenly shy. “I know you like to write down everything that you don’t want to say out loud. I’d like it if you opened up to me, too, but this will be a place just for you. I thought this could be a good place to put it all.”

I swallowed hard. “This is… really nice.”

“You hate it.”

“I love it.” My voice cracked. “Of course, I love it.”

He didn’t say anything, just reached out and brushed a bit of flour off my cheek. His fingers lingered. My skin buzzed like it always did when he touched me. It felt like I was finally wanted. I finally belonged.

We stayed like that for a moment, neither of us filling the silence with nervous words.

And then his phone buzzed.

He glanced down. “Slick says Tessa’s passed out on the couch with Cheddar Jack.” He turned his phone around to show me the picture.

I smiled. “They’re adorable. Are the rest of the Westons showing up tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” Derek said. “Jack is driving down in the morning. Calli and Sam are out at the bar to celebrate the end of preparing for the Festival. We should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow. What else do you need to do?”

“Just finish cleaning up. Sarah and Michael are coming in early tomorrow to pack everything up.”

We cleaned up the last of the mess together, shoulder to shoulder, and then I locked the diner and stepped out into the warm stillness of the night.

It was late. So late that the town was dead quiet. The entire street held its breath, like it was preparing for the big day tomorrow right alongside us. If everything went according to plan, these streets would be filled with cars and people just a few hours from now. Happy chatter as people brought their families for a day filled with fun.

Derek drove us both home since I couldn’t be trusted to drive while I was this tired. Not having any extra energy to walk to my guest house, I followed him to his room and let him help me put on my pajamas.

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