Page 104 of Finding New Dreams

“Am I?”

I barely managed to set my wine glass down without spilling it. Seizing her chin to hold her gaze, I rolled my hips upward. “Feel that? You know you are. But I’m not going to forget.”

“Challenge accepted,” she whispered with a tiny smirk.

She succeeded. For hours.

But even as she fell asleep on my bare chest, our legs tangled in the blankets of her bed, I remembered again. After everything we’d shared…what did she have left to hide?

* * *

The buttery smell of popcorn and the sticky June night were just as I remembered.

Pictures in the Park had been a town tradition since before I was born, and I’d attended every year I’d lived here. First as a squirmy kid unable to sit still for a whole movie if not for my mother’s glare. Then as a distracted teenager looking for opportunities to get handsy with my dates.

Now I sat in one of the hard plastic folding chairs with Rose next to me, our hands twined together. Like we were any other couple among the dozens who lounged around the square in front of the big screen. Her fingers frequently dipped into the popcorn bag in my lap, jarring my attention from the movie each time.

We’d barely made it in time for the opening scene. There’d been an…accident in her studio that led to a paint fight and a very thorough shower afterward.

We’d waved to our friends scattered around the square and picked up some popcorn from Cheryl, dodging her dozen questions.

I was enjoying Up—really, I was, even though I’d seen it before. But some things never changed. I was still just as distracted as an adult. Granted, I’d probably never fully pay attention to a movie with Rose seated so close to me.

But who would be sitting with her next year?

I frowned. My fingers squeezed hers, almost involuntarily, and she squeezed back. But that ugly thought had friends. And lately, they’d been ganging up on me.

Chloe’s wedding was next weekend. My future was uncertain after that.

All I could think was, who would be kissing Rose’s lips after me? Who would be washing paint from her hair? Who would be twirling her around the kitchen in the morning light?

My chest tightened even as Rose and the audience laughed at something on the screen.

My days were numbered, and I could do nothing to change it.

The old mantra of “just keep living in the moment, take what you can get” held little comfort now.

It just wasn’t enough.

I leaned over and pressed a simple kiss to Rose’s temple.

She flashed a smile at me. “What was that for?”

I shrugged. “Couldn’t resist.”

She peered into my eyes. “You okay?”

“Of course. Yep. All good.” Great, man, that wasn’t suspicious at all.

“Shh!” someone hissed behind us.

Rose bit her lip, as if she wanted to press me, but simply scooted closer to me.

By the end of the movie, I’d pulled myself together somewhat. Enough to smile and talk about our favorite parts of the movie. Thankfully, I could use my memories of the first time I’d seen it since I’d been so distracted this time.

Then our friends found us. Wyatt was busy being a sheriff, and Louis was out on a vet call. But Leo was there with his nieces and nephews hanging all over him, like monkeys on a tree. Gina and Dom, Chloe and Hunter, Sarah and Carter chatted about the movie and the upcoming wedding and which town committee members needed to be hounded for logistics.

The whole time, I wished it was just Rose and me hidden in her apartment. My desire for her had a desperate edge now. Like my heart knew.

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