Page 48 of Mountain Pine
I take it from her and go back to staring at the stars.
“They’re really pretty tonight, aren’t they?” she asks, looking up at the sky too.
“Beautiful.” I turn my head so that I’m staring at her, not the endless diamonds winking in the night sky above us. “Prettiest I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Dean and Bennet set off a firework that makes Taylor jump. Then she hops up and runs back to where they’re about to shoot off another…
“You never take this ring off,” I say, spinning it around on her finger. She wears it on her middle finger nowadays.
“Why would I?”
“Tastes change. People don’t always like what they did when they were kids.”
She flexes her fingers and looks at the simple ring with all the little amethysts set in circles that go all the way around. I think the guy at the store said it was an infinity ring or some shit. I don’t know. I just couldn’t leave there without it because it looked like a bunch of full moons with purple gems in the center ofeach one and I knew Taylor would love it.
“It’s one of my favorite things,” she says quietly. “Always has been since the moment you gave it to me.”
Once again, pride swells in my chest. “Oh yeah?”
“Mmm hmm.” She tucks her hand away and clears her throat. “I used to pretend it was a wedding ring.”
Pretty sure my hearing just crapped out on me. No way did she just say that. “Are you serious?”
“Mmm hmm.” That’s all I get before she’s climbing out of my cuddle cage and getting dressed. “I have to get back to work. My next yoga class starts soon, and I’ve also got to submit the vendor application for the Blossom Festival at the town hall.”
Wow. Okay. We’re done here, I guess. “I should probably head back to my campsite, anyway.”
She slows down and frowns but doesn’t look at me. “Are you going to stay there longer?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Do I get to come over or am I still locked out of knowing your location?”
There’s no missing her bitter tone. “I’ll share it,” I say. “I’m staying at the place we used to camp at as kids.”
Does she know where I mean? Now that I think about it, I don’t remember her ever camping in this spot with me and the guys.
“Just share your location and I’ll find it.”
Taylor stuffs her legs into a fresh set of yoga pants and my mouth waters. “You gonna bless the town with that ass in those pants?”
“You better believe it.” She wiggles her butt atme. “Putting themallunder my spell, one downward dog at a time.”
“Ruff!” I bark like a dog.
Wow. That didn’t take me long, did it?
“I can come by with a pizza later, after I’m done with all my stuff for the day.”
She’s testing boundaries with that offer.
“Okay.” I shake the towel off before grabbing my spare clothes. I know damn well she’s staring at my ass. “Eyes up here, pervert.”
This woman doesn’t even bother to hide her gawking. She just continues to eye-fuck my body like she’s never seen it before. “Taylor. Come on. Why are you acting like any of this is new to you?”
“Uhhh because it is?”
“We’ve been skinny dipping a million times together.”
