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But then the voiceover changed when a big, wide shot of Sawyer flashed onto the screen.
“Meet Sawyer Hendricks, the newest addition to the Fixer Brothers team.”
The next ten seconds were nothing but footage of Sawyer, looking more attractive than I could have even imagined.
There were shots of him shirtless, as he shoveled soil. Other shots of him sweaty and glistening in the sunlight as he laid down mulch around the perimeter of the patio. And then an obscenely mouthwatering shot of him leaning over the bar here in the brewery, looking up at me as I pulled a beer from the tap.
“Good God, I love him,” I said without thinking.
“Yeah, yeah, we know,” Nathan said, “you love him, but you’re just friends.”
He waved his hand through the air as his eyes stayed glued to the laptop screen, watching the rest of the teaser trailer.
“Wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I said as the teaser ended. Suddenly, three pairs of eyes shot right up to stare at me.
“What?” Nathan said.
“Meaning…” Shawn added.
“Oh, I have been waiting for this moment,” Rush added, grinning at me.
I gave Rush a look of mock anger. “Not you too, Rush,” I said, scowling at him. “You’re my boss. You’re not like Charlie and these two and Chase. You’re not supposed to care who I’m fucking.”
“Oh hell yes,” Shawn said, beaming at me. “You and Sawyer are finally fucking!”
“Good God,” I groaned, putting a hand over my eyes for a moment. “We… Sawyer and I… we may be dating, now. Yeah. Dating.”
My words came out awkwardly, but inside I felt like I was announcing that I’d just won the jackpot. My heart swelled with pride just getting to say that I was dating him.
“So when is the wedding?” Shawn asked.
“And what are you two going to name your kids?” Nathan added.
I snorted. “I think that’s my cue to head home,” I said.
“Sorry, sorry,” Shawn said. “I’m just happy for you. Really happy for you. I was into Rush way before I admitted it, too—”
I held up a finger. “No way,” I said. “No comparisons, please.”
“I also had a crush on Kace long before I knew I liked men at all,” Nathan added thoughtfully.
“I hate you all,” I said. “And I’ve been here since noon, so I’m heading out.”
“You love us,” Shawn said. “I mean, not as much as you fucking love Sawyer, but still.”
I smiled, despite myself. “I won’t deny it. Either part. Goodnight, guys.”
“Night,” they called out as I headed out.
It was a little after eight, and the evening air was fresh and no longer biting cold. Spring had always taken a back seat to fall, for me—I liked the golden changing leaves later in the year. But there was something different about this spring. A lot of things, maybe.
I already knew that it was my favorite spring yet. A sense of renewal in the air, coupled with the fresh start that I had in my life. All of the shit that I would have rolled my eyes at years ago was catching up with me now. I really did feel like I had a second chance. My own life felt like it had seasons, too, and after a long, dry winter, something was finally blooming again.
I breathed deep, the sweet smell of fresh flowers and the faint smell of mulch in the air. I hopped in my truck and sat there for a moment, taking it in.
I was happy.
That’s what seemed so profound about this moment.
I was truly happy, for the first time in… far too long. I’d been okay for years—content, even. I loved my job, usually, and I liked my life up here in the mountains. But I was pretty sure I hadn’t let myself experience pure, true happiness in a very long time.
Sawyer had given that to me. But I was also allowing myself to feel it. There was fear, too. There would always be fear, and things to worry about, and futures that were uncertain. But there was also so much fucking joy, and love, in my simple life. And one of those joys was waiting for me at home. I stuck the keys in the truck and fired her up, driving the short way home in some unfamiliar state of bliss.
I swung open the front door.
“Oh fuck, it smells incredible in here,” I said.
I made my way into the kitchen and found Sawyer up to his elbows in flour and sugar. Up to his elbow in it, really, because his casted arm didn’t seem to be much good for whatever he was making.
“Hi,” he said, his smile going wide the moment he saw that I was home. He came over and pressed a kiss to my lips, making sure to keep his powdery arm away from me. Misty trotted over and nuzzled her nose against my leg, asking for pets.
