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I caught her hand before she could start putting away the remaining pages.
“We spent a lot of time this afternoon being sensible about our future. Talking about visiting, making phone calls, working around our schedules.”
“All very reasonable considerations.”
“They are. And I meant everything I said. But I don’t want you thinking that’s all this is to me.”
Her smile faded into something softer as I drew her closer.
“I’ve fallen for you, Peyton. Head over heels. I know it’s only been four days, but I’ve never wanted to spend this much time with a woman, and I’ve sure as hell never been so disappointed at the thought of having to say goodbye.”
She rested her hands against my chest.
“I want you here with me,” I continued. “I want to come home from work and find your books on my kitchen table. I want to hear about whatever ridiculous thing happened during your recording session, and I want to be there when you have something worth celebrating. We don’t have to figure out every detail today, but I’m serious about building a future with you.”
Peyton reached up and touched my cheek.
“Oh, Hudson.” Her voice was softer than I’d ever heard it. “I’ve been trying to be terribly sensible about all this too. I’ve reminded myself that we’ve only just met, that we live in different places, and that there are practical matters we need to consider.”
“I know.”
“But the truth is, I’ve fallen ridiculously hard for you. I don’t want this to be a wonderful weekend I look back on someday. I want more mornings together. More dinners, more conversations, and more opportunities to discover that the enormous, devastatingly handsome lumberjack I’m dating has unexpectedly strong opinions about fictional vegetation.”
I laughed and caught her around the waist.
“I can’t promise I’ll ever approve of that enchanted axe.”
“I should certainly hope not.” She smiled, then grew serious again. “But I do want a future with you, Hudson. I’m choosing you, and I want us to find a way to share our lives without either of us giving up the things that matter.”
“Then that’s what we’re going to do.”
I kissed her, taking my time, and she slipped her arms around my neck, drawing me closer.
When we finally separated, she remained in my arms, her cheeks pink and her eyes bright behind her glasses.
“You realize,” she said, “that this means you’ll eventually have to meet my sister.”
“I’ve been warned. I’m prepared.”
“I’m not certain you are. Chelsea can be rather thorough when she’s interested in something.”
“I supervise a logging crew, honey. I think I can handle a few questions.”
Peyton gave me a look that suggested I was wildly underestimating the situation.
“Very well. But when she starts asking about your intentions, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I won’t have any trouble answering that question.”
She looked up at me.
“Oh?”
“Not a bit.” I drew her closer. “I intend to keep you in my life, Peyton Appleby. And if you’ve got any sense, you’ll let me spend a good long time proving exactly how much I mean that.”
Her smile was slow and beautiful.
