15. Ayla

Chapter 15

Ayla

“ I hope we didn’t ruin your weekend getaway.” I focused on my friend who had the kindest smile of anyone I knew. It was what drew me to her when we were in dental school. Not to mention, she had the best head of strawberry blonde hair that I couldn’t help but be jealous of.

Kat smacked my arm, her emerald eyes challenging me. “Don’t you dare say that. You coming was the best surprise ever. Besides, I think Jonah likes Declan.”

We both looked out the window at the guys, laughing and talking about something while Declan was fixing the line on a fishing rod. It turned out that if we hadn’t arrived in Charlotte when we did, we would’ve missed Kat and Jonah entirely. They were packing up to head to Kat’s parents’ cabin in the mountains. I felt bad for showing up unannounced, but Kat threatened not to go on her mountain getaway unless we came with them. I couldn’t have that, so Declan and I went.

It turned out to be one fun-filled, adventurous weekend. We only had one full day to spend in the mountains, and we enjoyed it by hiking trails the entire time with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We saw several waterfalls, one of which was in the movie The Last of the Mohicans . We even slid down Sliding Rock into the cold mountain water at the bottom. It was refreshing to be in cooler temperatures compared to the heat of Alabama. My muscles were sore, but it was so much fun. The memories of the day’s adventures swirled through my mind like leaves caught in a playful breeze, each moment etching itself into my heart.

Kat smiled as she stared at Declan. “Who would’ve thought you’d fall in love with your grumpy, noisy neighbor.”

Her words caught me by surprise. “In love?”

Kat scoffed and rolled her eyes at me. “Please. I can see it on your face and his when you two look at each other. It’s very intense.”

I had definitely felt that intensity the past couple of days. It was exhilarating and scary all at once. However, there was no denying it, even if I hadn’t admitted it to myself yet.

“I think I do love him,” I confessed, “but I’m not about to tell him yet.”

Kat’s brows furrowed. “Why not? Jonah told me he loved me on our third date.”

I laughed. “I remember that. You were giddy for a whole week.”

“Then why don’t you tell Declan?”

“It’s all new,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I don’t think it would scare him away, but it’s the first time I’ve loved someone in over five years. I think it scares me .”

Kat rubbed a hand soothingly down my arm. “I get that. It’s the same way I felt about Jonah. I was over-the-moon excited, but terrified at the same time. Now I can’t imagine loving anyone else.”

I transferred my attention to Jonah, who watched Declan with fascination as he worked on the fishing rod effortlessly. “Do you think Jonah will propose soon?”

Kat tilted her head back and groaned with impatience. “I sure hope so. I’m not getting any younger. I’d like to have kids before I’m forty.” She pulled out a chocolate from her pocket and opened the wrapper.

Shaking my head, I laughed. “Are you still going to keep your chocolate stash hidden from him when you get married?”

Kat popped the chocolate into her mouth. “Hell yeah, I am.”

It was my turn to smack her arm. “You are so evil. You just don’t want to share them.”

She winked. “That’s for damn sure. They’re all mine.”

We both stared out the window and I sighed. The guys were getting along great and I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.

“I can’t believe we head back to Charlotte tomorrow morning,” I said. “I love it up here.”

Kat grabbed my hand. “Don’t worry, my dear friend. We’re going to have a great night on the town tomorrow. I already made reservations at a fancy restaurant and we can walk around downtown afterward. It’ll be like the old times when we’d go out in Raleigh, only Charlotte’s much better.”

Declan turned his attention to the window and our eyes met. The warmth that filled my soul as I gazed into his deep blue eyes was undeniable. It was as if time stood still in that moment, the world outside our window fading away into the background. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, and was unsure if it was out of fear or excitement. But one thing was certain—there was a connection between us that couldn’t be ignored.

He was mine. As I played the words over in my head, I couldn’t stop the smile that took over my face.

I loved that he was mine.

I loved him .