Love on the Lake (Lakeside 2)

“So we should start dating?” I flip the pink stone heart between my fingers.

“If you feel ready, then yes.”

I exhale my worries. “I feel ready.”

On Saturday morning I wake up bright and early and head to Pearl Lake. It was hard not to tell Aaron I’m staying overnight, especially when he seemed resigned to the fact that all he was going to get this weekend was a couple of hours at dinner with Dillion and Van, and maybe a walk by the water, before I drove back to Chicago.

I spend the morning going over all the details for the first farmers’ market with the hockey wives. I half expected them to lose steam or interest along the way, but they’re as committed as ever. They’ve been amazing to work with, and they’re so much fun.

Afterward, I head to town hall to meet with Bernadette, and once I’m done there, I hop back in my car. All day I’ve been getting messages from Aaron asking when he’ll get to see me, followed by endless hug GIFs.

I message him to let him know I’m on my way to Van’s place, and by the time I get there, Aaron’s truck is already parked in front of the garage. He’s clearly just arrived as well, because he gets out of the truck as I pull my car in beside him.

I barely have a chance to open the door before he’s there, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m sorry. I have no chill. I missed you. And everyone monopolizes your time when you’re here. I want one really long hug before I have to share you for the rest of the evening.”

I allow myself to be enveloped in his embrace. He truly has been so patient and understanding. His scruff tickles my skin as he lifts me off my feet and continues to hug me.

He hasn’t shaved since I put us on pause. There was an occasion early on when we first started seeing each other where he hadn’t shaved for a few days. I ended up with the wickedest chafed chin thanks to stubble burn. He figured if he didn’t get to kiss me anyway, what was the point in shaving? And it seemed to be a mild deterrent for making bad choices that might feel good.

But the truth is, although it hasn’t been easy to stay in the friend zone, all I had to do was remind myself that I needed to be a better version of myself before I could go there again with him. I wanted to be a partner in the true sense.

And I feel like I’m finally there.

He sets me back on my feet. “Hey.”

I laugh. “Hi. And I missed you too.”

His eyes roam my face. “You look beautiful.”

“And you look scruffy.” I reach up and stroke his beard. I actually like it, but he said he’s going to have to shave it soon, because the facial hair is too much for the summer heat.

“How was your day? How was the meeting with the hockey wives? Everything look good for the farmers’ market?”

“Everything looks good.” I pop the trunk.

“Did you make biscuits, or muffins? The ones that taste like doughnuts with the jam in the middle?” He rounds the car and stops dead when he sees what’s inside the trunk. His gaze bounces from me to the trunk and back again. “Are you staying?”

“For the night.”

To his credit, he tries to hide his disappointment. “Okay. That’s good, right? Overnight is good.”

“I thought it would give us more time to hang out.” I move around the car to stand beside him.

“Just the two of us?” he asks.

“Just us.”

Aaron grabs my bag from the trunk. “I have a lot of questions.”

“I thought I heard a car!” Van’s voice pulls our attention in his direction. He glances from me to Aaron to the pink bag in Aaron’s hand. “Oh, hey, hey. I’ll be in the house.” He thumbs over his shoulder and starts moving in that direction while grinning.

I incline my head to the stairs leading to the apartment. “Come up with me?”

“Yeah. Yes. I will. Come. Up with you.” Aaron nods a bunch of times and follows me up the stairs.

The air is stale in the apartment, but it looks exactly like I left it the last time I was here. I come up sometimes when I visit. Many of my memories here include Aaron. And for the most part, they’re good ones.

He sets my bag on the bed and then moves to the kitchen and leans against the counter. “What does this mean?” He motions to the bed. “You staying the night here.”

“I’m not moving back quite yet, but I plan to. Probably once the farmers’ market starts up. And things are getting busier for the Stitches, so being here more will make sense.”