Fourth Down (Portland Pioneers 1)

“Once the storm passes. It’s slow-moving so probably a few more days.”

“Please be safe. I worry about you out there in that mess.”

“I will . . .” she fumbles with her phone, and I hear a male voice in the background.

“Ah, my competition is there,” I say jokingly, even though I’m far from joking.

Autumn laughs. “No one can compete with you, Julius. I gotta go back on air. Watch me, okay?”

“I will. Text me when you can chat again.”

“I will. Good night, Julius.” Autumn hangs up but her words linger in my mind. What did she mean when she said no one can compete with me? Does that mean what I want it to mean? That she wants to be with me or is it some other reference because of who I am. Either way, it’s going to plague me until I can get a solid answer.

Thirty-Three

Autumn

When I come down the escalator and into the luggage area, I hear my name. I turn and see a bouquet of balloons rushing toward me. At the speed the balloons are moving, I expect to see bodies flying, but people are moving out of the way for the tiny bulldozer heading my way. When Roxy breaks through the crowd, tears well, and I crouch down, waiting for impact. I didn’t expect Julius to come to the airport to pick me up. Last night when we spoke, he asked what time I was due in, and I told him because it’s not a secret, and with the way things have been between us lately, I honestly have no idea where we stand. We both have some communication issues we need to work out.

“Ah-um,” she says my name as clearly as she can. Her tiny arms wrap around my neck, and I inhale the scent of her strawberry shampoo. Until now, I didn’t know I missed her, which is stupid because she’s owned my heart from the day I met her in the park. There’s something about Roxy that just stays with you.

After a long moment, I finally tell her that I missed her. I’m honest with Roxy about my feelings. She has my heart wrapped around her little finger. I spent so much time worrying about her father that I completely opened my heart to her, and now I’m probably in trouble. I realized, while in Texas, my clock is ticking. I know I still have time. I’m young, and my career is taking off, but if I’m going to pursue something with Julius, we need to discuss future children.

I set her down and make eye contact with her father. Damn. My mouth waters at the sight of him. He looks hot in his black slacks, and his naturally tanned skin is like a beacon against the white untucked button-down shirt. Instant flashes of our one night together flash in my mind. How can one night stay with me for so long? My fingers twitch, forcing me to make a fist, or else I’m going to reach for the hem of his shirt and pull him to me. I’ve missed the way his body feels against mine. I didn’t know how much until I saw Camden. As soon as he hugged me, I knew I was in love with Julius Cunningham.

Days ago, I had it in my mind that I was going to become a travel weather person like Camden. This was my dream job, and it dangled in front of me like a piece of cake. Only Julius and the kids weren’t there. I broke down and told Cam about Julius on my first night there over dinner when he tried to hold my hand. Cam’s expression told me everything I needed to know. He wanted me there because he wanted to be with me when I wanted to be in Portland, curled up on the couch with the cutest little girl I know, sleeping in my arms. Once I started talking about the Cunninghams, I couldn’t stop.

Julius leans in, wraps both arms around me, and we hug. As much as I want to resist, I can’t. I breathe him in and get lost in the scent of his cologne. Spice, woodsy, and clean. He makes me weak and fogs my mind up, and that’s a serious problem. I’m already in too deep but need to find a way to pull back until Julius has his life figured out. It pains me to think this because I want to be with him, but not at the expense of my sanity. The baggage he carries—it’s a lot. It’s more than someone my age should get involved with. The thing is, I’m not sure I can walk away with my heart intact.

“I’m happy you’re back,” he whispers. His lips linger against my skin, and I shiver.