Page 158 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

Robyn shook her head. “I’m still not following.”

“I couldn’t make my decision contingent on you. If I bought Blissful Breeze, it had to be because I wanted it, not because you’re here.”

My head fell back, and I looked up at the star-filled sky. I took a deep breath of the clean crisp air before I continued. “WhenI offered you the storefront in New York City, I was still trying to control things—you. I didn’t realize it at the time. But once I knew, I couldn’t do it again.”

“Hmm, I think I’m following your logic.” Robyn laid her head on my shoulder.

“I had to throw away my spreadsheets. I’m a dealmaker. It’s what I did for a living, but it’s not how I want to approach our relationship. It’s time I take a leap of faith without knowing the outcome or trying to orchestrate it. I couldn’t make my choice contingent on yours. Even though I hoped I could have it all.”

“What is the all that you want?”

I jumped off the tailgate and stood in front of Robyn. I moved toward her and gently pushed between her legs.

“Um, you know I’m wearing a short dress, don’t you?”

“Trust me, I won’t soon forget that.” I smiled and glanced over my shoulder at the lodge. “Besides, nobody’s out here, and I’m not planning on doing you in the middle of the parking lot.”

“Well, damn.”

My eyes widened.

Robyn laughed. “Kidding.” She spread her legs and drew me toward her.

Once I settled against her, I said, “The all I want is this place. I want to fix it up and give others the experience I’ve had.” I put my hand against her cheek. “And the other all I want is you. I want to see where our relationship can go. I’m serious when I say I’ve never felt anything like what I feel for you.”

“I haven’t, either,” Robyn said. “I liked your song. You have a beautiful voice.”

“I didn’t like yours.” I smiled. “Well, maybe I kinda did since it told me you were hurting as bad as I was.”

Robyn gently ran her hand over the scab on my cheek. “I’m still trying to figure out how I let you crawl into my heart.”

“I don’t want to figure it out. I just want to experience it. Feel all the emotions.”

“How did you get to be so open?”

I grinned. “I had an excellent teacher.”

She ran her finger over my lips, and I shuddered.

“I have a few more things I’d like to teach you.” Robyn’s voice had turned husky.

“You do, huh?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I thought you said we couldn’t do it in the parking lot.” I sucked her finger into my mouth.

“Stop that.” She pulled her finger back, but her smile gave her away. “Are you still flying back with Emma tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I need to take care of a few things before I come back. Plus, I owe it to Emma to return with her.”

“What time is your flight?”

“Eleven.”

“So if I invited you back to my place, would you come?”

“Multiple times, I’m sure.”