Page 97 of Fall Love

She laughs and pulls out the sides of my shirt. “This old thing.” She tips up her shoulder and bats her eyes at me over it.

Unable to stop myself, I pull her to me, cup her jaw, and kiss her. Per doctor’s orders, we haven’t been intimate in weeks, and we don’t need to be. I want her to heal, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss kissing her.

We’ve only shared a few kisses in the chaos of the past few weeks. In rare moments, snuggling on the couch or curled near one another in bed.

I’m hoping tonight brings back that spark between us.

“So I have a special night planned for us, but no pressure. We just see how it goes.” I nod toward the portable crib where Wren sleeps.

“Okay,” Neve says, looking up at me in this way she’s been doing for weeks.

Like she’s puzzled that I’m here. Like she’s grateful for it at the same time. But I sense a thin veneer between us, as if she’s waiting for everything to shatter.

My plan is to reassure her it won’t. We are unbreakable.

I take her hand and lead her to the porch, which is currently dark. The afternoon was warm. A rare, final day of heat before autumn settles in permanently.

As we step outside, I flick a switch.

The porch is illuminated with small Edison bulbs dangling from the ceiling. The romantic cast glows over the massive number of pumpkins I’ve laid around the edge of the porch, along with a haybale or two, and a sprinkle of hay across the deck floor.

“What’s this?” Neve slowly twirls in wonder, her upturned face soft in the warm light.

“I brought the barn dance to us.”

She lowers her head and meets my eyes. Her smile is so large, her dimples pop. “That’s so . . . romantic.” She sighs, like she truly can’t believe it. Like the porch is suddenly magical, which was what I was hoping for.

“May I have this dance?” I hold out my hand, and Neve laughs, setting her palm against mine.

“There isn’t any music.”

I pull my phone from my pocket and click the playlist I already pulled up. So we don’t disturb Wren, the volume is low in the overhead speakers.

“Elvis?” Neve arches her brow as I pull her to my chest and rest our collected hands over my heart. My other hand wraps around her lower back, keeping her close.

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” croons through the speakers. The song feels appropriate.

“We might have rushed to a finish line, Neve, but I’m so glad I’m here, with you.”

If her cheeks blush, I can’t tell in the low light, but she ducks her head a second, shaking it, before looking up at me, those blue eyes bright. “I’m glad it’s you, too.”

Her voice is as soft as her words, and I lean forward to kiss her again. This one lasts a little longer than the earlier one in the house. I cup her jaw with both hands, momentarily pausing our dance, and take my time to rediscover her lips and softly sip her tongue.

She kisses me back just as tenderly before pulling away. Her eyes gleam, and she chews at her lower lip, almost shy.

“So, Elvis? How did I not know this about you?” she asks, sliding her hands down my arms and then back up over my shoulders.

“There are lots of things we still don’t know about each other, Neve. But I want to know them. I want to know everything there is about you.”

She drops her gaze a second, but I tip up her chin with the edge of my hand, wanting her eyes on me.

“No one has ever wanted that before.” She licks her lips. “And I want the same thing.” Her brows pinch like she’s confused by the desire. Then, her brows straighten. “I want to know it all as well.”

I smile and tip my forehead against hers. “Neve, I want you to stay here. I want you to move in.”

She pulls her head back. “But my house . . .” she says quietly.

“You can keep it. Rent it. Or sell it. That land is worth a fortune.”