Page 20

Chapter twenty

Sawyer

The mess hall was transformed into something out of Sawyer’s wildest dreams. Colorful fairy lights crisscrossed the ceiling, casting a warm rainbow glow over the room. The smell of the citrusy candles mingled with the faint scent of summer woods drifting through the open windows. It was magical, pure and simple—or at least, that was what it felt like to Sawyer as he stood near the corner, watching Clayton adjust his smart watch with ease.

Sawyer smiled, taking in Clayton’s sharp, dark blazer, and his confidence. It had only been a short time since they’d officially started dating, and yet it felt like something out of a fairytale. I’m the protagonist in my own cheesy romance nove l. Sawyer was half amused and half giddy about the dance tonight. His own outfit felt effortlessly right—light-washed jeans and a white button-up with the sleeves rolled halfway up his arms. He’d worn his rainbow bracelet for good measure.

Clayton caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. “Are you okay? You’re smiling like you’ve got a secret.”

Sawyer shook his head, unable to hide his grin. “Just thinking how perfect tonight is,” he said. It wasn’t just the atmosphere; it was Clayton, standing there picking up a champagne glass in his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. It was them, together, for the first time at an evening camp event as an official couple.

Clayton stepped closer, tilting his head. “Perfect? It hasn’t even started yet.”

“It’s already perfect,” Sawyer murmured, and the blush that spread across Clayton’s cheeks made his heart do a little…dance.

The dance officially kicked off with music that had everyone tapping their feet. Sawyer and Clayton lingered near the buffet for a while, sipping champagne and watching people pair up on the dance floor. It wasn’t long before Clayton leaned in, his voice low and warm against Sawyer’s ear. “Dance with me?”

Sawyer almost choked on his sip of champagne. “What? You want to—right now?”

“Right now,” Clayton said, his hand already reaching out. There was no hesitation in his smile, no self-consciousness in the way he held Sawyer’s gaze.

Sawyer set his paper cup down, laughing nervously. “Okay, but don’t judge me if I trip over my own feet.”

“Never,” Clayton said, his tone playful. “But if you do, I’ll catch you.”

And just like that, they were on the dance floor, surrounded by other couples who looked just as radiant and carefree as Sawyer felt. James and Brody swayed at the far end, James still awkward but clearly enjoying himself, while Brody whispered something into his ear that made him laugh. Malik and Jeff were more fluid, their movements smooth and synchronized, like they’d done this a million times before. Sawyer envied them because they worked together at Timberline. He wondered where he would find work. Clayton wasn’t worried about him getting a job soon and he’d made that known to Sawyer. Rowan and Mark danced nearby, holding each other so gently it looked like they might break if someone got too close.

Sawyer focused on Clayton, his hands resting lightly on his waist. The music was upbeat, a pop song with a driving rhythm, but their movements were relaxed. Clayton spun him once, and Sawyer laughed, feeling like the world had shrunk to just the two of them.

“You’re good at this,” Sawyer said, his tone light but full of admiration.

“I told you I’d catch you,” Clayton replied with a wink.

They danced through several songs, their energy shifting with each change in tempo. By the time the DJ switched to a slow ballad, Sawyer was breathless but content, resting his forehead against Clayton’s shoulder as they moved with their bodies touching.

“Having fun?” Clayton asked.

“More than I thought possible,” Sawyer admitted, his chest warm with something that felt dangerously close to love. His brothers had told him there would never be love for him because he wasn’t like they were. They insisted that a man could only be loved by a woman. Sawyer had believed them, not knowing about another world outside of the farm.

After the final pop hit had everyone spinning in near exhaustion, Clayton glanced toward the doors, his hand sliding into Sawyer’s. “Come on,” he said, his tone conspiratorial.

Sawyer followed without question, weaving through the crowd and out into the cool night air. The woods surrounding the camp were quiet, except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. The faint glow of the fairy lights from the mess hall faded as Clayton led him deeper into the forest.

“Where are we going?” Sawyer asked, though he wasn’t sure he cared. He’d follow Clayton anywhere.

“Not far,” Clayton replied. His hand tightened around Sawyer’s, grounding him even as the world grew darker.

They stopped near a clearing where moonlight pooled like water over the grass. Clayton turned to face Sawyer, his expression softer than Sawyer had ever seen it. “I just wanted a moment,” he said simply. “With you. Away from everything and everyone else.”

Sawyer nodded, his throat suddenly tight. “It’s beautiful out here.”

“You’re beautiful out here,” Clayton corrected, and Sawyer laughed, feeling the warmth of the blush creep up his neck. “You know,” Clayton continued, “I never thought I’d get to have something like this. Someone like you.”

Sawyer’s heart pounded a little harder. “Clayton…”

“I mean it,” Clayton said, stepping closer. “You make everything feel…lighter. Like it’s okay to just be me.”

Sawyer swallowed, the vulnerability in Clayton’s words hitting him square in the chest. “You don’t have to try so hard to be perfect, you know,” he said. “I like you just as you are.”

Clayton grinned. “That’s the best thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

They stood there for a while, the silence wrapping around them like a second skin. Sawyer tilted his head, letting his eyes wander over the stars before returning to Clayton. “I feel like I’m in a storybook,” he admitted.

Clayton chuckled. “Good thing I like happy endings.”

Sawyer stepped closer, his fingers brushing lightly against Clayton’s cheek. “You make me feel like this is just the beginning.”

Clayton’s expression softened further, and for once, he didn’t have a quick reply. Instead, he leaned in, his forehead resting against Sawyer’s, and for a moment, everything else fell away.

“It’s not just the beginning with you. I want you with me all the time.”

“Like Jeff and Malik?”

“Yes, but I think you can find a better place to work than the Timberline. I know a coffee shop here that would hire you in a minute if you wanted the job.”

“Do you think I’m too innocent to work at the Timberline?”

“I don’t know if that’s the case, but if you wanted to work there with Malik, I’d hire you. Plus, I know if we added your exceptional coffees to the menu, they would go over big time.”

“I need a job. But I’m torn between wanting to be with you all day and night. I don’t know where I belong.”

“You belong with me. If you want to try out Timberline, tell me. I’ll hire you. You can’t make drinks unless you have a license. I could send you to classes for that. Malik washes the glasses and does the cleaning and sometimes, he takes drinks to the tables. Jeff would rather he didn’t work directly with alcohol and patrons. So, you two could be in charge of cleanup. You would be great waiting on tables. We serve food too.”

“I’d like to start that when we get back from camp.”

“Then the job is yours. You’ll be paid fifteen dollars an hour plus tips like Malik. Is that okay?”

“Yes, more than okay. That’s what I was paid at my last job.”

“Want to have some fun in the tent?”

“Fun? Let’s go!”