Chapter 16

16

D enise stretched her arms out to the side, gradually waking up. Just about every muscle ached as she reached out, her hand seeking the warmth of Alyssa’s body beside her. Instead, her fingers brushed against cool sheets, and her eyes fluttered open.

She was alone in Alyssa’s bed.

Denise noticed a piece of paper on the nightstand. She sat up, the covers falling away, and reached for the note.

Sorry for leaving without waking you, but I had to open this morning, and I needed to finish decorating the tree we abandoned last night before the kids arrive later.

See you later x

Denise read the note twice, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth when she thought about how last night had even happened. Denise had caught Alyssa blatantly checking her out when she was up on the ladder, and even though she knew she shouldn’t, she’d teased Alyssa about it.

But that’s when everything had changed, because it turned out that Denise had it all wrong. Alyssa didn’t have a girlfriend.

And before Denise could even process that news fully, Alyssa was kissing her.

Denise closed her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips as she thought about everything that had happened after that. She never could have imagined how good they’d be together.

She could still feel the warmth of Alyssa’s body pressed against hers, the gentle rise and fall of her breath as they drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

It had been amazing—not just the sex, but the intimacy, the connection. She hadn’t felt this way in a very long time, and now, Denise had something to think about.

Because how could she leave this time next month?

Well, maybe last night had been a one-time thing, but… Denise sighed as she got up and gathered her clothes, padding into the living room to get her bra, sweater, and jeans.

From her perspective, it should be a one-night thing. Denise couldn’t even believe she was thinking about staying. “Over one night?” she murmured to herself as she went back into the bedroom to get changed.

She shook her head, once again blaming her loneliness for her feelings.

Denise got dressed quickly and left the cabin. Thankfully, they’d both driven back here last night otherwise Denise would be doing a walk of shame back up to the tree farm to get her rental car.

She got in her car and made the short drive back to the farmhouse for a shower and some breakfast. She could think about her future later, because right now, she needed to help Alyssa finish decorating and make sure everything was in order before all the kids arrived in the evening.