321
His chin rests on the top of my head as he pulls me close.
I breathe him in
–
-cedarwood and the faintest trace of motor oil. He always smells like work, even when he’s off–duty. It’s something about him I’ll never stop loving. That feeling of realness. Of effort.
“I cooked,” I say into his chest.
“I can see that.”
“Don’t judge the mess. I was improvising.”
His lips find my temple. “Mess is good.”
I look up at him and grin.
“Okay, serious question. If we could eat clouds what flavor would they be? And don’t say bubblegum.”
His eyes glint with amusement, like they always do when I say something ridiculous.
“Vanilla bean,” he replies immediately.
I raise an eyebrow.
“That’s a little boring.”
“It’s dependable. Gentle. Sweet. Just like clouds.”
I fake–swoon. “That’s the most romantic answer anyone has ever given about hypothetical food.”
He laughs, then lets go of me long enough to grab the plates. “Let’s eat by the lake.”
I nod, heart thudding with the kind of love that never gets old. I grab the utensils and the napkins – mismatched ones because I still haven’t found the cloth ones I packed.
this place, Our place. The porch still smells like fresh paint. The flowers lining the path We step out into the soft air, and the moment hits me again the lake are just starting to open, reaching for the warm dusk. The sky is streaked with pink and lavender. Crickets are just beginning to sing
We sit on the chairs by the lake, plates balanced on our knees. The water shimmers. Everything is quiet, soft.
We eat.
He groans softly after the first bite.
“Okay, this is insanely good.”
I beam. “You’re just saying that,”
“No. I’m not. I’d eat this every night.”
“Well… maybe once I find the rest of the kitchen,”
2/4
4:31 pm
Chapter 321
P
He chuckles, and we fall into that kind of silence that only exists between people who know each other down to their bones.
Then, he says, “So. Paint colors.”
I brighten. “Okay. I was thinking maybe a sage green for the laundry room. Light, peaceful. And maybe deep navy for the den.”
“Asher’s color,” he smirks.
“Exactly.”
“And the guest rooms?”
We both pause.
My eyes meet his. “We need to think about who will be staying over the most.”
“Rooster will probably crash here every time he and Anna fight,” Asher says with a smirk.
“So we give them the one with the big bed and blackout curtains.”
1
“And Mila and Boomer?”
“They get the one with the sunrise view. She likes waking up early for yoga, and he’ll pretend to hate it but secretly love it.”
“And Max?”
We both laugh.
“He needs soundproofing.”
“Desperately.”
“And maybe a lava lamp.”
I nudge him. “We still haven’t met this girl he keeps mentioning.”
“Because she might not exist.”
“She probably does. He’s just keeping her for himself for now.”
“And Luc?” Asher asks.
I sigh happily. “Luc gets whatever room has the biggest mirror.”
“And the most closet space.”
“Obviously.”
We finish our food slowly, talking in half–sentences and memories. I think about Rooster and Anna’s wedding two years ago. The way Anna’s dress sparkled. How Rooster cried during the vows and tried to hide it by pretending to have something in his eye.
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4:31 pm
Chapter 321
0.90
I think of Boomer and Mila, who broke up before his deployment, but then found their way back to each other. He left for two years on missions, and he told her to live her life, to date, experience people. I didn’t expect Mila to wait. But she did. And I’ve never seen her smile at anyone the way she smiles at him. Now he’s officially back, and they’re so, so great together.
Luc is still Luc. Charming the world, boyfriend in every country, passport always full. And Max someone who laughs at his jokes.
well, Max might be in love or might just be fascinated by
It hits me this little family we’ve built.
–
And this house… it’s for them, too.
I rest my head on Asher’s shoulder, and he wraps an arm around me.
The sun is almost gone now, the lake turning navy, the stars just beginning to whisper their way into the sky.
This life is quiet. This moment is small.
But God it’s everything.
–
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R Visitor
omg, how beautiful! does this kind of life really exist or is it a dream life?
7 days ago
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
