Page 121 of One Small Spark
I can’t help my laugh. “Thank you.”
She snuggles back in again. “Just so you know, my mom and sister are going to the gala. Everybody’sso excitedto see a fancy barn. Ooh la la. ‘We’re getting married where animals used to live.’ What’s the big deal?”
She’s trying to sound bitter, but I’ve learned a few things about Wren’s deflection methods.
“Do youwant to see it?”
“Yes.” She laughs against me. “There’s so much hype around it. I have to know what it looks like.”
“Want to go over there and check it out right now?”
She rolls on top of me, her face almost pressed against mine. “Really?”
“Sure. Charlie and Leo headed back after dinner to get some last-minute preparations ready. They’re probably still there.”
Wren scrunches her nose. I love how her face paints a vivid picture of what’s going on in her head. “On Thanksgiving?”
“Charlie’s a workaholic. I’m sure Leo would rather watch the game, but that’s probably why she thought she could escape to the barn.”
“Let’s do it.” Wren slides off me and holds a hand out to help me up. I stand but don’t let her go.
“What do you say to riding our bikes there? It’s only three-quarters of a mile to the lodge.”
She groans. “You keep getting me to do things.”
I lean down to kiss her. “I want to do all the things with you.”
She smiles against my mouth, proving she doesn’t hatedoing thingsas much as she lets on.
She pulls back as if she’s been stung. “Wait. Do you meanmybike? Are you finished already?”
“It’s out in the garage.”
“I thought it was going to take you weeks.”
“I’ve had time to kill.” Thinking about her, but that’s obvious.
We bundle up in coats, and I find a pair of gloves for her to wear. The dusting of snow we had this morning is gone now, but the bite in the air isn’t. Just to be safe, I tug one of my knit beanies over her head.
“Happy now?” she asks, smirking up at me.
“I’d be happier if you were dressed head to toe in my clothes. Or better yet?—”
She puts her hand over my mouth. “Please stop being sexy when I’m five minutes away from crashing my bike.”
I take her hand. “You’re not going to crash.”
I lead her outside to my detached garage. It’s more of a workshop, since my old truck can’t fit in there. It’s bitter cold out, but that hasn’t been much of a problem while I’ve worked on her bike. Being in the cold plunge twenty-four-seven wouldn’t kill the fire she’s lit inside me.
“You will eat your words when I’m in the back of an ambulance with life-threatening injuries after ten minutes of cycling.”
My anxiety can’t get very worked up about that ominous imagery when I cleared and smoothed the path to the lodge myself.
Her reminder about the presentation, on the other hand…
It doesn’t matter that I’m committed and there’s no backing out. Running away from my responsibilities sounds like a great idea. Except, of course, I can’t let down everyone who’s counting on me to get this project approved.
And Lila would murder me in my sleep.
