Page 61 of A Place Like You

“So, you were planning on uprooting your life and just moving here?” she asks. “What if things between us don’t work out and I run you out of Heartwood Lake?”

“I told you before, and I’ll repeat it as many times as you need to hear it, I won’t let you push me away.” I stop and gently grasp her shoulders, gazing into her eyes intently. “Unless you stop caring about me. Then, I’ll leave.”

Wren bites her lip and hugs herself, glancing up at the starry sky. “I want to believe you. Let me work it out in my head, okay?”

“Thank you for not getting upset with me,” I add sincerely, relief flooding through me.

“As I said, it irritated me, but I understand that’s not your fault.” When we arrive at her house, she pushes herself on her tiptoes and kisses my jaw tenderly, sending tingles through my skin. “I’m not here to play mind games with you. If I’m upset with you, you’ll know. Sometimes, I’ll confront you right then, and other times, I might ask you to give me time to calm down.”

I wrap her in my arms, pulling her body close against me, inhaling her sweet scent. “I meant what I said. I want to be with you, no matter where you want to live.” I bend and kiss her deeply, never wanting to let go, hoping this is one of the last times I have to reluctantly leave her warm embrace for the night.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Drake: Morning, beautiful.

Wren: I’m beautiful?

Drake: Of course you are.

Wren: Morning, handsome.

Drake: Are you ready to start the day?

Wren:Yep, I just got out of the shower.

Drake: Feel free to send a picture. :wink: emoji

Wren sent an image

Drake: A picture of you freshly showered, not of your shower. :rolling-eyes: emoji

Wren: Oh, I don’t think we’re in that stage of our relationship where I’ll share selfies with you.

Drake: What stage are we in?

Wren: I’m not sure yet, but I’ll keep you updated.

Drake: I’m heading to the clinic. Donna prepared the muffins today.

Wren: Not Gael?

Drake: It seems like my brothers decided to get drunk last night and started their chores too late.

Wren: You’re not drunk like them?

Drake: Nope. When I came back to the cabin, they were gone. Let’s just say that you saved me from a killer hangover.

Wren: You’re welcome. Do you want me to bring the coffee?

Drake: Nope, I got that too. Don’t worry about it.

Wren: See you then. :kissing-heart: emoji

* * *

Wren

The entire morning has been a whirlwind of patients and paperwork. It’s around noon when I finally push open the door to my office, looking forward to a quick break. I’m surprised to find Drake already there, with two large paper bags in his hands and a smile lighting up his face.

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