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“Not today,” I replied.

I couldn’t get home fast enough.

When I arrived at our cabin a short time later, I was disappointed. Although it was long after the lifts had closed, there was no sign of Shane.

Indecisive, I played with my phone. I opened his contact in the chat. Closed the conversation thread again. Opened it and finally threw my phone on my bed.

After my shower, I sat with my notebook, pad, pencils, and laptop.

I would wait. And use the time.

While I was writing down the ingredients for a vegan meatloaf sauce, Shane burst through the door.

“Oh damn, thank goodness you’re here.”

I pushed the paper away and sat up. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Argh.” He hung up his clothes and flopped down across my bed. “What’s all this? Are you busy?” He turned his head toward me and smiled.

I stretched around me and gathered my papers.

“They’re just notes. Recipes. Tips. Ideas.”

Shane reached out his hand and took my foot. The papers in my hand rustled. I gripped them tighter so they wouldn’t slip out of my hand.

“Looks cozy. You remind me of a cute bird in a nest, making itself comfortable with its leaves.”

I shook my head and laughed. “Ha, ha.” I put everything on the little table next to me and my foot slipped out of his hand.

I slowly sank back onto the mattress.

“Where have you been all this time?” I hastily ran my hand over my head. Was that question appropriate? Had I crossed a line?

Shane ran his hand along my shin. “I think I should take a shower.”

I stretched out my leg, which brought Shane’s hand to my thigh.

“Hmm. Or I could stay here,” he continued, and I laughed. Half helplessly. Half relieved.

“Stay. I haven’t seen you all day.” Damn. That was too clingy.

“Come here. I was thinking about you too. Why didn’t you wake me up yesterday? I was looking forward to seeing you.”

My heart galloped briefly. It skipped a beat. It pushed forward again and stumbled once more.

“Okay.” I was so very eloquent.

“Anyway, I was in Deeroak today. The family I was traveling with invited me to dinner.”

“Was it good?”

“It was good. Not as good as your food, but it was cool.”

I slid further down and Shane turned around that we were lying next to each other in bed. My hands wandered into his hair as if by themselves. I loved running my fingers through his tousled blond locks. Letting them slide through my fingers.

Shane tilted his head back slightly and lay back into my touch. I grabbed hold more firmly and scratched his scalp. He hummed contentedly.

“Where did you guys eat in Deeroak? I only know a few of the hotels there. Somehow, I don’t get around as much as I had planned.” I scratched his head lightly, and Shane slid closer to me.