Page 16

Willa

I ’d never been to a Navy SEAL barbecue before. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but leave it to Nate to casually invite me to something that had my nerves doing cartwheels.

He said it was low-pressure, that it was just his friends—guys he trusted with his life, and their wives or girlfriends. But still, it felt like a big step. Like meeting the family, only with more muscles and tactical gear.

I looked down at the floral sundress I’d pulled from the back of my closet. It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean, and I didn’t smell like goat, so that was a win.

Speaking of goat…

“Pancake,” I muttered, glancing out the screen door. “What are you doing?”

She was in her usual spot—on the porch roof—balanced precariously like she was the queen of the kingdom. I’d tried to keep her off, but she always found a way up there. Nate thought it was hilarious. I was starting to think she did it just to impress him.

“I swear, if you eat one more plant, I’m putting you on time-out.”

Pancake snorted, then did that sideways hop thing that always made me laugh even when I didn’t want to.

I sat down at the kitchen table with a glass of lemonade and stared out at the mountains. It was peaceful here. Quiet. Safe. Now that Derek was gone.

Nate had a lot to do with that.

I wasn’t sure how it had happened, but somehow this man-the one with the grease-stained hands, kind eyes, and the world's slowest drawl—had wormed his way into my heart. He didn’t push. He didn’t pry. He just was .

And he made me feel seen.

The part that scared me most was how fast it was all happening. I’d barely caught my breath from the last mess in my life. Sure, I had broken up with Dereck two years ago, but getting him out of my life was hard. But with Nate… it didn’t feel messy. It felt right.

Still, I’d seen what I thought was love before, and it went wrong. I’d lived through it. So, while my heart flipped every time he smiled at me, my brain kept yelling, “ Be careful, you need to slow down.”

I took a deep breath and rubbed my palms on my dress. I’d already said yes. I was going.

And if I chickened out now, Pancake would probably follow Nate to the barbecue without me.

There was a knock on the door. I jumped, then peeked out the window. Speak of the devil. Nate stood on the porch, holding a paper bag and wearing a sheepish grin.

I opened the door, and Pancake bleated behind me like she was annoyed I beat her to it.

“I brought you a peach pie,” he said, holding it out. “Axel said women like pie. I wasn’t sure what kind, so I got the kind I liked.”

I stared at him, fighting a smile. “Are you bribing me to show up tomorrow?”

“Maybe,” he said. “Is it working?”

I think it is. Don’t even look at my pie, Pancake.

He looked down at the goat, then back at me. “She can lick the plate.”

“Deal.”

He handed me the pie, and our fingers brushed. My heart did that stupid flutter again.

I wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring. But I had a dress, a goat, and a man who brought pie to my porch.

And for the first time in a long time… I was hopeful.