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That gets her. She nods, and I unlock the truck. She climbs in, and I jog around, brushing snow off the windshield with my sleeve.

When we pull up to the Foster place, everything’s dark and quiet. I flick the headlights off and park by the back gate. I grab the lighter and the bundle of firewood I stacked earlier, praying no one’s touched it.

“I’ll get it going. You warm up inside.”

She gives me a look. “You sure you know how?”

“I’m not Shep.”

“Good point.”

I get the fire started in record time—thank you, YouTube tutorials and coasters I stole from the bar for kindling. By the time Joely comes back outside, wrapped in one of my hoodies and carrying a blanket, the flames are crackling and licking at the sky.

She settles next to me on the log bench, and we sit for a moment, saying nothing.

It’s peaceful.

Intimate.

Joely leans in, nudging me with her elbow, a wicked glint in her eye. “Look at us—finally alone. It’s almost suspicious.”

I grin, about to lean in for another kiss—

Then, from out of the shadows behind the shed, I hear the unmistakable crunch of boots.

“Woooooo!”

I practically levitate. “No. No. Fuck no.”

Joely’s already laughing. “Is that…?”

“Shep,” I growl.

Sure enough, he comes strutting out, dragging a cooler and wearing a stupid grin.

“Brought s’mores!” he announces, like Santa Claus if Santa was a chaos goblin wearing a Slammer’s jersey.

“Where are the others?” I ask, dreading the answer.

As if summoned by my worst fears, Bennett and Heath round the corner carrying extra lawn chairs and what looks like half the kitchen from the Power Play.

“Figured we’d crash your little romantic fire,” Bennett says, deadpan. “You finally did something useful.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “You guys are unbelievable.”

Joely just snuggles closer, whispering, “Well… at least the fire’s warm.”

I sigh. “I was really hoping for some alone time.”

Bennett tosses down a chair. “You want alone time? Go to Joely’s.”

I mutter under my breath, “Next time, we will.”

“Next time?” Joely echoes, nudging me with a smirk.

And shit, I guess I really do want a next time.

And a next-next time.