Page 43 of The Summer for Us (Golden Falls #1)

JULIETTE

On the drive back after our date, Wes asked me to spend the night with him.

So I did.

There wasn’t anything better than waking up next to Wes. Or waking up to Wes wanting to go down on me. I would happily take it all.

We had gotten into a routine as July wrapped up. I found myself in his bed nearly every night. The only times I was at the cabin were when he had late nights at Lake Ridge, which wasn’t happening as often.

By the end of July, I had slowly moved a couple of things to his house. My toothbrush, favorite snacks, and makeup. And maybe his room looked like a little bit of a disaster with the amount of clothes I brought over.

While Wes claimed he didn’t mind the mess I had made (even after he almost twisted his ankle tripping over one of my heels), I was spending the morning cleaning up before starting my work day.

As I checked my calendar on my phone, I saw that meeting with the painter for Eliza’s studio was my main task—but that wasn’t until later in the afternoon. Earlier in the week, I had gathered decorations and potted plants for Eliza.

Working with Louise was going well, too.

I had stained the wooden shelves, and they were nearly ready to hang up.

I had a handful of other businesses and people who owned cabins in the area reaching out to learn more about my design skills—likely hearing from around town the work I had been doing with Lily, Louise, and Eliza.

As much as I appreciated the business, I didn’t feel like I could take on any expansive design projects.

Not with the days flying by. I didn’t want to be in a position where we were ordering supplies into the fall—when I wouldn’t be in Golden Falls.

I was focusing instead on requests where I could move quickly, like update decor and offer them guidance on how to use what they had to change up the space for a timeless feel.

I had started to take most of my introductory meetings at Purrfect Blend, so it was a little boost to Lily’s business, too.

My plan had always been to be in Golden Falls for the summer and then return to the city.

But I’d been starting to wonder what it would mean if I stayed, because with each passing day, I felt an increased sense of dread about leaving this town, leaving Wes.

My life here was better than anything I had in the city.

People knew me here, I had friends, I had the start of a life with Wes.

I put all my clothes into a laundry basket, carrying it over to the washer to start a load of laundry.

Yes, I had brought enough clothes over that I needed to do laundry.

But Wes encouraged me to! He frowned any time I mentioned going over to the cabin—I’m not kidding.

As much as I liked being around him, he liked being around me.

After starting the laundry, I met Wes in the kitchen. He was dressed in his usual jeans and tee and making a pot of coffee. He looked so very handsome—like always.

“I don’t know how you survive with the limited closet space you have.” I sighed with a shake of my head. “I would only be able to fit my summer clothes in the space you have.”

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Because I usually wear the same thing, just a different version of it. Helps to keep it simple. Did you want some space in the closet? I’m happy to move my stuff. Hell, if you want the whole closet, you can have it.”

I let out a laugh, grabbing two mugs for us.

“You definitely don’t have to do that. I don’t need the space, especially since…

” I trailed off, not wanting to finish that sentence.

Instead, I switched thoughts. “Especially since I’m doing laundry right now.

I’ll fold everything and keep it in my suitcase.

” I cringed. That wasn’t much better. Both were reminders of the inevitable.

Wes huffed, taking the mugs from me. He poured a heavy dose of my favorite caramel creamer into my mug and filled the rest with coffee.

“You won’t be doing that. Keeping your clothes in your suitcase, I mean.

I’ll clean out some of the closet for you and a drawer or two.

Just until…” Wes paused, before starting to ramble.

“Well, if you need more space or less…” He cleared his throat.

“What I’m trying to say is we’ll figure it out.

But I’m going to start by making some extra space for you. ”

I brought the mug up to my lips to hide my smile. I had never heard Wes ramble before, and it was incredibly endearing. “A drawer or two sounds nice.”

“And some of the closet,” he reminded me with a grunt.

“Right, of course.” I smiled again.

He gestured with his head over to the back deck, and I followed him. We enjoyed drinking our morning coffee out on the back deck—the same spot where we watched the fireworks—when we had some extra time.

We both wanted to focus on the now. Living in the moment and all that. But had he thought about what it would mean if I stayed? I glanced over at him, watching as he took in the view of the lake. He looked so comfortable here, like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged—in Golden Falls and in Wes’s life.

But I’d worked so hard this summer to put myself first and figure out what I wanted out of my career, out of life.

Would I be failing if I stayed?