Chapter 61

61

JASON

I woke at first light, far earlier than I wanted to, but I rarely slept in these days. My body was used to waking up for work. This morning was different though. I didn't have anywhere I needed to be. I was free to savor the feel of Zach sleeping in my arms.

He'd crashed hard last night, the emotion of the day catching up with him, and thankfully, he hadn't had any nightmares. I hoped he'd catch up on some of the sleep he'd missed over the last couple of weeks.

I marveled at how we'd gotten here. From a punch to the face to an argument at the diner. Running into him at the hospital and again when he helped Mom the next day. Showing up at camp. Watching his dog. The conversation after that. Going for runs. Each of those times our paths had crossed had been like opening a window into his heart until, eventually, the window was open wide enough that I could climb through. It may have seemed like I'd made a sudden shift last night, but when I looked back, I could see each small step that had led us here. And now that we'd arrived, I didn't want to waste any more time.

Zach squirmed in my arms, stretching his toes toward the foot of the bed. Daisy, who'd climbed up to join us sometime during the night, dismounted with a snort of protest at being kicked.

"Mmm, what time is it?" Zach asked, his voice raspy with sleep.

I lifted my head, not finding a clock anywhere in sight. "I have no idea, but I'm guessing by the light, around six."

"By the light? Are you a pioneer? Do you need to throw another log on the campfire while I go rustle us up some breakfast?"

"You're ridiculous," I said, kissing him on the top of his head. "I think we both know that if anyone was going to do some rustling, it would be me."

His answering chuckle warmed my heart, especially after seeing him so upset last night. "How are you feeling this morning?"

"Better. Though I still worry this is a dream, and I'm going to wake up to an empty bed."

I kissed the top of his head again, squeezing him just a little tighter. "It's not a dream, and I'm not going anywhere."

Daisy whined, her collar jangling as she danced by the door.

"I should probably let her out and feed her. What about you? Can I make you breakfast?" Zach asked.

"I'd love that."

We ate outside on the deck, enjoying the view of the lake as it came alive to face the day. Temperatures were down a little from the oppressive heat earlier in the week, making the breeze comfortable as we enjoyed scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast while Daisy sniffed around the yard.

"Do you have anything going on today?" I asked around a mouthful of eggs.

"Nope. After a week and a half of camp, followed by hosting for the Fourth, I planned to spend most of the day lounging around and catching up on laundry." Zach took another bite of bacon, then asked, "Did you have something in mind?"

"Not specifically. I just thought we could spend the day together, if that's alright with you? I'm happy to lounge here while you do laundry and take it easy. A day like that sounds perfect."

His face lit in a smile and I was so glad to be the one who put it there. "Let's do it."

We finished our breakfast, then made a round of the yard, picking up a few stray pieces of trash we'd missed the night before. Zach ran the towels through the wash again since he'd forgotten to move them to the dryer before we'd gone to bed. Then, we settled on the couch to watch a European soccer game Zach had been looking forward to while I pulled up a book in the Kindle app on my phone.

I must have fallen asleep because I woke with my head in Zach's lap and my phone resting on my chest. Zach was playing with my hair while he watched the game. Daisy was curled up in her bed below the TV, and a gentle breeze blew through the open window. The simplicity of the moment hit me square in the chest. This was the life I had always dreamed of. Lazy days with the guy I was pretty sure I'd never stopped loving. Could this become something more permanent for us? After rushing us forward what felt like thirteen steps last night, I didn't dare bring it up, but the seed had been planted in my mind. I wanted to put down roots with Zach. Roots that would spread and sustain us as we built a life together. Was that something he might also want?

Jesus, Whitt. Slow your roll. He's here in Astaire to stay. You have time to figure all of that out.

The game ended and Zach looked down at me. "How was the nap?"

A slow smile spread across my face. "Perfect."

"Good. Want to grab lunch? I thought we could run over to Fred's."

"Can we stop by my house to change first? I'd rather not do the walk of shame."

He chuckled. "Sure. Let me go move the towels to the dryer."

I sat up, allowing him to stand.

"Do you mind if I take a quick shower?" Zach asked.

"Hmm…" I pretended to think about my answer. "Can I join you?"

"Baby, that is a question you never have to ask."