Heat rises up my neck and nestles in my cheeks.
“Ah, and a little color does her some good,” he grins, leaning back onto his elbows.
I rub at my cheeks and shake my head.
“Yeah, well, you have pretty spectacular eyes, too,” I say, realizing I sound utterly stupid, even though it’s true.
“Doesn’t count. I told you first.” Again he smiles, but this time he winks at me. That crazy wink that suits him so well.
I shift my gaze away but can’t seem to wipe the grin off my face.
“So, what does the infamous Autumn Blackwood do when in her secret hideaway in the woods by the nonexistent river?”
My eyes widen and I tip my chin down. “Have you been asking around about me?”
He shrugs. “Maybe a little.”
“Well, see, now that’s not fair. You know my last name and I don’t know yours. It gives you an unfair advantage.”
“I can’t say I’m all that bothered,” he smirks.
I shake my head, “How on earth did you get my last name already? I mean, it’s only been a few hours. Did you knock on every door until you narrowed it down?”
“Perhaps,” he says.
“Yeesh, you move fast.”
“Only when necessary,” he says, shooting me a knowing look.
“And this was necessary?” I ask, kicking my legs out so they land to the side of him.
He does the same, then places a hand on my shin. The contact immediately sends goose bumps flashing across my body, making me shiver. “Of course it was.”
The creases of his eyes crinkle and his dark hair seems to move in slow motion in the breeze. He’s like one of those male models, only he’s here, in real life, sitting with me for some godforsaken reason. And I’m seriously thinking of leaving him soon, because he’s right. Even if I don’t like it.
Dammit.
“I, uh, I’m not sure what to think of all that,” I stutter.
Wade leans in a bit closer. “Don’t think too hard. It’s really very simple.”
“It is?”
“Of course. Boy moves to new town. Boy meets girl. Boy likes girl. Boy tries to learn more about girl so he can see her again,” he says. The smile beaming from his face could light this entire pocket of nature, even if it were night. “See? Simple.”
“You forgot the part about ‘Boy learns girl could be moving away, so he probably shouldn’t bother.’”
He grins sheepishly. “Eh, the heart is a fickle thing. It wants what it wants. Have to accept it and bend to its will.”
“Oh.” I raise my eyebrows. “Now you’re getting the heart involved?”
“Aren’t you?” Wade smiles slowly.
Everything inside me is screaming yes, even if my brain isn’t so sure it’s wise. I narrow my eyes. “Maybe?”
A hearty, deep laugh erupts from his lips. “Maybe is good enough. We have some time to work on that.”
We lock eyes and for a moment, it’s almost as though time stands completely, utterly still—just for us. Light streams through the branches of the trees in thick, beautiful beams as flying insects meander in and out of the intensity. The green around us even seems to fluctuate with its deep hues.
Switching to a more upright seated position, Wade shifts forward, and scoots his body so his torso is inches from mine. My breath hitches and my pulse quickens, but I don’t move a muscle. I simply watch him, mesmerized.
His eyes lock with my own before he bends in to claim his kiss. One of his hands gently caresses the side of my face, tracing at the area where my eyebrow meets the corner of my eye, and I can’t help but breathe into him.
When our lips touch, the entire world falls away, and all I can think about is… if I go to Windhaven, how am I going to make it through any time apart?
Chapter 5
Going back in time
When you have little-to-no contact with someone, the last thing you want to do is call up and ask for a favor. I never expected my first call to my dad in forever would be to tell him I got a full ride to the Windhaven Academy…and that I need a place to crash. I sure as hell hope the open-door policy still stands, but things aren’t looking good. The deadline for finalizing my Windhaven plans is looming.
“Still not answering, huh?” Wade asks, taking a seat on my computer chair.
I toss my cell phone on the bed and sit down. “Nope. It doesn’t seem like him, either. I’m hoping he’s just busy and not completely avoiding me.”
“Do you really think he’d do that?” Wade asks, throwing me a surprised look.
I shrug. “Hope not. But at this point, who knows. If I don’t get ahold of him in the next hour or so, I’m pay him an impromptu visit later on.”
“That seems like a good idea. I mean, it’s Saturday, so maybe you’ll catch him relaxing at home and he’ll be open to your questions. Want me to come with as moral support?” he asks, tapping the edge of my computer desk and glancing at me sheepishly.
Thinking for a moment, I slowly shake my head. “No, for some reason, I feel like I better go alone.”
“Are you sure?” Wade asks, holding my gaze for a beat longer than expected. He leans forward slightly on my office chair, resting his elbows on his knees.
My back stiffens slightly, but I make it a point to lean back a bit on my bed. I break his mesmerizing gaze and look away. “No, I mean yes. I need to do this on my own. It’s been ages since I last went to see my dad. It’s terrible, really. I mean, I’m an adult now. Keeping in contact is just as much my responsibility as it is his. So, I think it would be weird if I showed up asking stay there and brought along my…” My eyebrows scrunch in as I realize we haven’t defined what we are. “Your…” Wade says, a lopsided grin emerging.
I narrow my eyes and purse my lips.
“Ooohh, do you have trouble saying it?” he chuckles.
I give him a sideways glance, noticing he hasn’t technically defined what we are, either. “Regardless…” I say slowly, changing the subject.
A smug look of satisfaction slides across his features and he leans back in his chair, watching me closely. He crosses his legs, placing his right ankle on top of his left knee.
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I carry on. “This really is something I need to do on my own. But I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Hoffman.”
Wade’s eyes open wide and I grin broadly, knowing I hit the money. It pays to know every old lady in town. They knew exactly which grandpa was on hospice, who also had a new grandson in town to help. Plus, the fact that we’ve practically spent every waking moment together for the past few days helps.
“Ah, so you’ve done your homework, I see.”
“Of course. I told you I would,” I smile.
“Well played, Ms. Blackwood. Didn’t take as long as I thought it would.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” I say, lying down on my side and propping my head on my hand.
“Well, I hope I get to meet your dad soon,” Wade says. “I mean, I don’t know about you…but I don’t plan on going anywhere soon.”