Page 82 of Tinder Embrace
"We're not quitters," Jo added, stating the obvious.
Gwen frowned. "If anything, I'm only more determined to make our council plans a success with the grief we've been getting.Noonemesses with our town."
Izzy cleared her throat. "But, speaking of the council and needing to step back from duties," she paused, and Eve and I exchanged a knowing look across the fire.Finally. "I'm going to need to lighten my load for a while."
"Why's that?" I asked innocently.
As if we hadn't all guessed. But Izzy was entitled to her secrets, and I was more than happy to give her the space to share her news in her own time.
"I'm pregnant!" she squealed, grinning broadly.
"Congratulations!" I shouted back, happy for my friend.
We took turns hugging Izzy. She towered over me, putting her at boob level, and I bit back my chuckle. That had been my first indication: as someone frequently smothered by friendly hugs, her burgeoning chest had been hard to miss. The subtle signs of pregnancy had been there for weeks, if you knew where to look.
"I'm so happy for you and Ivan; congrats, Iz," I whispered, hugging her tightly, simultaneously turning my head to avoid being presented with the direct evidence of her impending motherhood.
After Izzy had been passed around for hugs and well wishing, we settled back in our chairs. Izzy deserved to start her family, and I couldn't be happier for her. Someday, maybe it would be my turn. I could already imagine two small faces with their dad's slow grin. I’d only hope any future children would have my temperament.
As if he could feel me thinking about him, Davis appeared on the path by the picnic table, nodding to me from the shadows. "Ready?"
Glancing across the fire, I smiled. More than. I turned to my friends. "I'm going to call it a night. I'll see you all Saturday morning at the field."
Jo met my gaze across the fire, a small smile on her lips. "I'm going to hang out here with Gwen. We're going to start planning for the summer festival. We'll probably be at least another hour. Do with that information what you will…"
Eve snickered next to me, and I swatted her arm gently. "Quiet, you."
Her snicker turned into a belly laugh. "I think the whole point of Jo's comment is thatyouwon't have to be. Good night!" she called cheerfully, grabbing Izzy by the arm and speeding down the path toward their cars before I could retaliate.
I could feel the heat creeping beneath my cheeks, my face flushing. This is what I got for having such good friends. There were few secrets between us and no hiding from their teasing.
"Good night," I called to Gwen and Jo, joining Davis at the edge of the clearing.
"Would it be rude to throw you over my shoulder and try to beat Izzy and Eve back to the house?" he murmured, surprising a laugh out of me.
I let my head fall against Davis's shoulder, cuddling closer as we maintained our more sedate pace. "Don't get me wrong, I like where your head's at, but I was hoping we could take things slower tonight." I grinned. "After all, according to Jo, we have a solid sixty minutes."
I thought he'd make a joke, say something silly. Instead, he said, "Bee, I'm not sure a lifetime would be enough with you."
"Damn, Davis," I whispered, floored.
His lips twitched, no doubt because he'd finally gotten me to swear.
He pulled me to a stop in front of the house, Izzy and Eve's taillights fading in the distance. The farm settled around us as their car engine faded. Frogs issued plaintive mating calls in the background while a faint breeze blew the rich, piney scent of the hops our way, adding a fairytale element to the moment. Davis was deeply woven into the tapestry of the farm, a king in his kingdom, and he wanted to share his life with me.
He gathered me in his arms, and in the twilight, I could make out the adoration in his eyes. His expression warmed me from the inside, filling me with joy.
He cleared his throat. Maybe it was nerves prompting him, because he didn’t need the sound to draw my attention. Standing in the circle of his arms, he was all I could think about.
He gathered my hands, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles. "Bee, that lifetime sounds more like heaven than hell to me. It feels early, but this thing between us? It also feels a lot like love."
My heart stilled before galloping ahead.
His expression wavered between hope and admiration as we stood, holding hands beneath the emerging stars. The moon smiled down, asilent sentinel assuring me that, for all the dream-like qualities of his confession, he was real and solid beside me in the deepening evening.
Davis may not use a lot of words, but sometimes he hadthe bestones.
"For me too," I breathed, still reeling from his admission.
