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I giggled, all breathy and filled with butterflies. He made me feel so young. So whole.
He held my hand as I got into the vehicle, and once I was buckled up, he held true to his promise, kissing me right there in the parking lot until I forgot anyone inside could see us and could only remember the way his lips felt on mine.
When he broke our embrace, I asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to your place and have sex without worrying about being quiet?”
He closed his eyes like it took all his willpower to remember we had a date. “There will be time for that. On another date.”
My heart skipped a beat. I loved when he so casually dropped little hints at the future like that—like he wanted to keep taking me out—like it was a given.
He squeezed my thigh with his large hand and then carefully shut the door and walked around to his side of the truck.
Once he got in, I said, “Now will you tell me where we’re going?”
He glanced my way, a crooked grin on his lips. “Somewhere I think you’ll love.”
40
KNOX
I couldn’t help lookingover at Larkin as we drove down the winding country road and approached the Minnicks Ranch with a bright yellow sign that said GOAT YOGA in bold black letters with a thick arrow pointing left.
Her mouth fell open in the cutest way as she did a double take between the sign and me. “You’re kidding,” she gasped, slapping my thigh. “You’re kidding me!”
I grinned at her. “Goat yoga and then a farm-to-table dinner. What do you think?”
She let out a squeal, a giddy sound I’d never heard from her before, and it made me feel so damn light my seatbelt was the only thing that kept me from floating away. I chuckled and said, “I’m taking that as a win.”
“Of course it’s a win, but...” Her face fell. “I can’t do yoga in a dress.”
“I packed us both workout clothes. Didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”
She ran her hand over my thigh, making warmth spread through my body. “You are amazing, Knox Madigan.”
I covered her hand with mine, squeezing it. “You remember that day I texted you, and I asked you what you loved?”
Her expression turned serious, and she nodded. I glanced at the road ahead of me, parking in the grass parking lot before a pretty outdoor area surrounded by twinkle lights. It wasn’t dark out yet, but twilight was coming.
With the vehicle stopped, I looked over at her, drawing her hand to my lips and kissing her knuckles. “I think you’re so busy taking care of everyone else, you don’t notice.”
“Notice what?” she asked, blue eyes dark in the dimming light.
“The things that make you light up.” I held her hand on my lap, looking into my favorite feature of hers—those pretty blue eyes that were so expressive they told me everything I needed to know. “Your children... your work... creating new things with your Cricut machine.... and yoga. And then there is a certain twinkle when you’re about to—”
She lightly smacked my hand. “You’re trouble.”
I laughed, loving that we could banter. I wanted a mix of that in my relationship—playfulness and realness alike.
“But you’re right,” she said. “I love this idea. Thank you for taking me here.”
I nodded. “Ready to go?”
She smiled so big, her eyes got squinty as she nodded. “Yes!”
I drew her in, kissing her cheek, then we got out of the truck, and I reached into my toolbox in the back, getting the gym bag I sneakily packed for her last night after she went to bed. She instantly opened it, peeking through the contents.
“What, are you checking on me?” I asked, feigning indignation.
She rolled her eyes at me. “I’ve made the mistake of asking a man to help me pack before.”