Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78603 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Boone nods, hands slipping from my waist reluctantly. “Let’s do that. Then we can head back to the cabin. I’ve got one more surprise for you.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Another surprise? You’re relentless.”
He just grins, grabbing the keys from the counter. “A man’s gotta keep his girlfriend guessing, right?”
My heart flutters. I can’t believe this is my life: teased and treasured by the man who once rescued me and took me to a cabin in the woods. Now we share that cabin as our home, building a future that grows more certain each day.
I step into the cool night air, turning to lock the glass door behind us. Boone stands at my shoulder, scanning the quiet street. Ever the protector. Once I’m done, he guides me gently by the elbow to his truck, parked by the curb, and opens the passenger door for me. I climb in, tucking my hair behind my ears, the afterglow of the party still making my cheeks warm.
As he slips into the driver’s seat, I ask softly, “Can you at least give me a hint about this last surprise?”
He glances my way, the overhead dome light illuminating a playful glint in his eyes. “Well… it involves a certain leftover Nutella and strawberry sauce we forgot to use tonight.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “That’s not a surprise, that’s just dessert.”
He leans over, pressing a quick, mischievous kiss to my lips. “Trust me, Bree, it’s gonna be sweet.”
I can’t help but grin as he starts the engine. The truck rumbles to life, headlights slicing through the darkness. We pull away from Slice Slice Baby, the neon sign flickering behind us. My chest feels full, brimming with gratitude for my friends, my mother, the new life we’ve carved out in Nashville—and, most of all, for Boone.
As we drive, I let my hand rest on his thigh, a silent thanks. We talk in hushed tones about the night’s events; Orion’s flour fight, Ranger’s sauce mishap, my mother’s quiet laughter as she watched it all unfold.
Eventually, the city lights fade, giving way to the moonlit pines that line the road to our cabin. Boone turns off the main highway onto the gravel path, and I roll down the window, inhaling the crisp forest air. It’s such a different world from the day we first found ourselves holed up in a cabin, me terrified for my life. Now, it’s a place of safety and love.
When we finally arrive, Boone parks, cuts the engine, and we sit for a beat in the hush of the wilderness.
“Give me a minute or two to set up,” Boone says, kissing my hand before hopping out of the truck.
I follow him to the front porch and wait while he rushes inside. I hear the distant hoot of an owl, and my heart aches with contentment.
Boone opens the front door, reappearing by my side with a big smile, and it nearly takes my breath away. He takes my hand and leads me inside. The cabin interior is cozy, lit by a single lamp in the corner. I notice the coffee table is cleared, replaced by a soft blanket spread across it, and on top sits a small tray of the leftover Nutella sauce and a container of fresh strawberries. I laugh softly, turning to Boone. “So, this is your big plan? Dessert after the big pizza party?”
He smirks, shrugging off his jacket. “Hey, you said you love sweet pizza combos.”
I watch as he dips a strawberry into the Nutella and offers it to me. My breath hitches, and I lean forward, taking a bite. The taste is divine—rich chocolate, ripe berry. But the real sweetness is the way he’s looking at me, eyes full of adoration.
We feed each other a few more strawberries, giggling when a drop of chocolate lands on his finger. I wipe it off with my thumb, and he catches my wrist, guiding my hand to his mouth so he can kiss my fingertips. The moment thickens with an undeniable tension.
He sets the tray aside and pulls me gently into his arms. “Happy birthday,” he murmurs, voice husky. “I hope it was everything you wanted.”
I lay my hands on his broad chest, feeling his heartbeat steady under my palms. “It was perfect,” I whisper. “But you made it that way.”
He slides a hand into my hair, tilting my head so our eyes meet. “I’d do anything to see you smile like that—like you’re free of every worry. That’s all I want.”
Emotion clogs my throat. I close the distance, pressing my lips to his in a slow, deep kiss that conveys all the gratitude and love I can’t put into words. He returns it just as fervently, arms circling my waist, drawing me flush against him. A soft sound escapes my throat as his mouth moves with mine, tasting of chocolate and strawberry and promise.