Page 125 of Where We Stay

“Do you want to?”

I look at the empty space beside him.

“Yeah,” I answer honestly. “That’s why I should go.”

Dean studies me for a moment before nodding. “Okay.”

No argument.

No guilt.

Just okay.

I get dressed, and Dean pulls on a pair of sweatpants before walking me through the quiet house. At the front door, he catches my hand before I can reach for the handle.

“This isn’t me asking you to leave,” Dean says.

“I know,” I assure him.

“And Pen and I are still invited to see your garden tomorrow?” he asks.

I smile. “Try stopping Aspen.”

“I wasn’t asking about Aspen,” Dean says, holding my gaze.

My smile softens. “Yes, Dean. I still want you there too.”

He cups the back of my neck and kisses me slowly, making it even harder to walk away.

“Text me when you get home,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Bossy.”

“Do it anyway.”

I steal one final kiss before stepping onto the porch. “Goodnight, Mr. Ashford.”

“Goodnight, Miss Morgan.”

For the first time in a long time, leaving someone feels harder than going home.

And somehow, that doesn’t scare me as much as it should.

* * *

By ten Sunday morning, I’m sitting on my front steps with a mug of coffee when Dean’s truck pulls into my driveway.

Aspen is out of the truck before he has fully killed the engine.

“You came!” I call as she races toward me.

“You invited us!” she replies, throwing her arms around my waist.

Dean walks up behind her, carrying her discarded jacket in one hand and another coffee in the other.

“Morning, Miss Morgan,” he greets me, a knowing smile pulling at his mouth.

“Morning, Mr. Ashford.”