Page 165 of At First Catch

“Then it wouldn’t be easier.”

The answer settles into him. I watch it happen. The slight release in his shoulders. The way his grip on me changes from instinctive to intentional.

He lowers his forehead briefly toward mine.

“You make everything sound simple.”

“It isn’t simple.”

“No?”

I shake my head.

“It’s terrifying. You have money tied up in this place. Employees counting on you. A town with opinions about everything.”

One corner of his mouth lifts faintly.

“Accurate.”

“But you already know what you want.” I brush my thumb along his jaw. “The hard part is trusting yourself enough to choose it.”

He goes quiet.

The last of the sunlight fades across the bay while the dock lamps glow brighter around us.

For a few seconds, all I hear is water moving beneath the boards, then his arm tightens around my waist.

“You know what’s dangerous?” he murmurs.

“What?”

“I think I’d burn the whole investor deal to the ground before I let anybody ruin the life I’m building here.”

Warmth spreads through me so quickly it nearly steals my breath.

I rise onto my toes and kiss him beneath the marina lights and darkening Virginia sky.

His hand slides along my back, pulling me closer as the tension finally begins to leave his body.

When I draw away, his eyes remain closed for one brief second.

“You feel better?” I ask.

He opens them and looks at me with an affection so open it makes my chest ache.

“I feel less like setting fire to a conference room.”

“Progress.”

“A little.”

I smile and reach for the take-out bags.

“Good. Because I brought food, and it’s getting cold.”

His hand catches mine before I can move away.

“Hads.”