Page 25 of This Memory (Moose Village #3)

“That’s…good to know,” Gavin said, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks now blazing.

“And don’t be afraid to get jiggy with it. She’s not a porcelain doll.”

Glancing at the back exit, I wondered if I could run and hurdle over the boxes in the way to get out.

Gavin cleared his throat. “Get jiggy with it?”

Spinning around, I quickly made my way over to Gavin instead .

My mother started to say something else, and I pointed at her. “Stop! For all that is good in this world, please stop talking.”

Putting her hands on her hips, Mom said, “Sex is a very natural and wonderful thing. I don’t see why we can’t talk about it openly.”

Gavin made a slight whimpering sound. I turned and whispered, “Go! Go while you still can!”

He stumbled back and nearly fell over a box. Instead, he managed to jump over it and moved so quickly that I had to wonder why he wasn’t going to run in tomorrow’s marathon.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the bell above the door ring.

“Did I say something wrong?” my mother asked, grinning.

Turning, I stared at her in disbelief as Nelly walked in. “What happened to Gavin? He ran out of the store like his ass was on fire.”

I closed my eyes and prayed that my mother would never utter the words “oral sex” in my presence ever again.

When my doorbell rang, I let out a frustrated groan. But then I pulled up my Ring app and smiled in delight when I saw it was Gavin. I paused my movie, threw off my blanket, and went to the door.

Quickly unlocking it, I said, “Hey, I thought you went out with the guys?”

He smiled and walked in when I motioned for him to enter. “I realized not soon after we got there the only place I wanted to be was here with you. ”

My stomach flipped as my heart kicked up a few beats. “I missed you too.”

Gavin glanced over to the TV. “What were you watching?”

“ The Proposal .”

He nodded and set down a bag I hadn’t noticed before.

“What’s the bag for?”

“Clothes, a toothbrush, deodorant.”

Grinning, I reached up and kissed him. “Does this mean I get my massage and a sleepover?”

He nodded. “I have a bit more planned for you. Can you head to your bedroom and give me like fifteen minutes before coming back down?”

Curious, I tilted my head. “What are you planning?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”

I laughed. “Okay, I have to pee anyway. Can you do me a favor and fill up my water mug?”

He tapped the tip of my nose. “I will. Don’t come down unless I say you can.”

Saluting him, I replied, “Got it.”

As I walked away, he reached for my hand. “Wait—give me twenty minutes.”

Laughing, I nodded and headed toward my bedroom. After doing my business, I walked into my bedroom and breathed in through my nose. “I smell popcorn and…”

I tapped my chin as I tried to figure out what else I was smelling.

Sitting on the bed, I glanced down at my clothes—oversized pants and a Moose Village T-shirt that was at least three sizes too big.

I thought of changing into something sexier, but I was exhausted and honestly just wanted to be comfortable .

Falling back onto the bed, I stared up at the ceiling and slowly started to feel my eyes get heavier.

“Don’t fall asleep, Brystol. There is a super-hot guy waiting for you with popcorn.”

Sitting back up, I stood, started to pace, and after several minutes, was about to sit back down when Gavin popped his head into the room.

“Ready?”

Turning to face him, I smiled. “I am!”

He reached his hand out for mine, and I took it.

“Close your eyes. I’ll help you down the stairs.”

I did as he said and tried not to giggle as the anticipation grew.

He stopped when we cleared the stairs and stood behind me. Placing his hands on my upper arms, he leaned in and whispered, “Open your eyes.”

I did—and gasped at the sight before me.

Gavin had placed candles around the room and made a nest of sorts on the floor, piled with pillows and blankets.

The ottoman had a large tray with another candle, as well as popcorn, Cherry Pepsi—my favorite drink—and my all-time favorite chocolate sponge candy from Stefanelli’s Candies in Erie, Pennsylvania.

“How did you know about the sponge candy?” I asked.

“You’ve only mentioned it a dozen or so times since I’ve known you. Your dad brought it back from a business trip when we were in high school. You gave me a piece once.”

Turning to look at him, I slowly shook my head. “I did?”

“Yeah, when we worked in the office together.”

“Did I tell you where it came from? ”

He winked. “No. I asked your father where he bought it, and he told me. I ordered it a few weeks back and was going to give it to you for Christmas. But why wait?”

“Why wait, indeed!” I said, as I nearly pounced on the chocolate.

“Evelyn would pitch a fit if she knew you were drinking a Pepsi, but your mom said one won’t hurt.”

“My mom? When did you talk to her?”

His cheeks turned bright red. “On the way here. After earlier, I knew it was a risk, calling her, but I figured it would be safe. I was wrong. And I mean about calling her, not about the Pepsi. She said it was okay if you had a soda, then proceeded to tell me all about a book I could pick up on how to satisfy my pregnant partner. So that was horrifying. But, not gonna lie—I went on Amazon as soon as we hung up and ordered it.”

I stared at him for a moment before I burst out laughing. “My mother is going to fall in love with you. You know that, right?”

He grinned and walked over to me. Cupping my face in his hands, he leaned down and brushed a kiss over my lips. “As long as her daughter also falls in love with me, I don’t mind.”

My heart pounded in my chest. It was too soon. Way, way too soon. “She’s beginning to.”

His grin turned into a tender smile. “I know it’s early in our relationship…but I’ve loved you since high school, Bry. And last night, making love to you, sealed the deal for me. I don’t want any other woman who isn’t you.”

“Gavin,” I whispered, as I wrapped my arms around his neck and stretched to my toes to kiss him. He held me tightly, and I swore it felt as if my feet were off the ground. I wanted to tell him I loved him back. After all, I’d been head over heels for him since high school too.

When we broke the kiss, and Gavin rested his forehead to mine, I closed my eyes and decided life was too short not to be honest.

I drew back, met his gaze, and said, “I love you too, Gavin.”

A brilliant smile grew on his face, and he kissed me once again, soft and quick. “I have another surprise for you. Let’s get comfortable.”

Taking his hand, I let him lead me to the blankets and pillows. I sat down, and he motioned to the table of goodies.

“I’ll have the popcorn and sponge candy, please.”

Laughing, he poured some popcorn into a smaller bowl and handed it to me, along with the bag of chocolate.

I snuggled in and smiled as I watched him pour the Pepsi into one of my tumblers and screw the cap on. “Thought this would work best, since you can close it and it won’t spill.”

I reached up and took it. “Thank you.”

He also handed me a bottle of water, and I chuckled when I took it and placed it next to the Pepsi. Then he made himself a bowl of popcorn, grabbed a beer, and settled in next to me. He lifted the remote.

“Close your eyes. I want you to be surprised.”

Laughing, I asked, “More surprised than all this?”

His warm breath tickled my neck as he whispered in my ear, “I hope so.”

The beginning sounds of a movie I was extremely familiar with started, and I sucked in a breath. I turned and opened my eyes to look at Gavin .

“I never did get to see this with you,” he said quietly.

I nodded as tears pricked the back of my eyes.

“So tonight, while the guys were talking about who knows what, I was thinking of a way to watch this with you and…well…” He motioned around the room. “This is what I came up with.”

A tear slipped free, and before I could wipe it away, Gavin reached up and brushed it away with the pad of his thumb.

“This is perfect,” I whispered.

He grinned. “Good, then let’s get comfy and watch our movie.”

We spent the next two hours watching my all-time favorite movie. Gavin laughed; he sniffled a few times, and then he slowly shook his head when it was over. “Still can’t believe that’s how it ends.”

I started to reply and yawned instead.

“Come on,” Gavin said, as he stood and held out his hands for mine. “Let’s get you to bed. You’ve got a race to run in the morning.”

When I stood, I waggled my brows. “Do we have to go to sleep right away?”

With a smile on his handsome face, he replied, “Yep. I want you getting a good night’s sleep.”

“I’ll sleep better after we have a bit of—” That thought was interrupted as I yawned again.

Before I could say another word, Gavin swept me up in his arms and carried me to my bedroom. “Come on, let’s get some rest.”

We were soon snuggling in bed with my head on his chest, his arm around my shoulders. It didn’t take long for my eyes to feel heavy as I listened to Gavin’s heartbeat.

“Good night, sweet Bry.”

With a contented breath, I whispered, “Good night, Gavin.”