Page 33 of Make It Last

There was something about that warmth in his expression that made my chest ache. I liked seeing him like that.

“Anyway,” he said, as he slid his hips onto a stool. “Hungry?”

“Starving,” I replied firmly.

After days of hospital meals, I had held off eating this afternoon specifically to enjoy whatever magic Tanner would bring. It was worth the wait. He laid everything out on the kitchen island like it was a Mediterranean banquet: creamy hummus, bright tabbouleh, pillowy fresh pita bread, olives, roasted veggies, lemony grilled chicken skewers, some kind of savory lentil dish, and baklava for dessert.

My mouth watered. “You went all out. We could sit at the table, but honestly, this stool is my sweet spot. It’s easier than getting up from a chair.”

“Let’s eat,” he said.

We dug in, and despite the electric current of attraction zipping around between us—hello, still hormonally unhinged—it was easy, really easy, to be with Tanner.

He was funny and chatted casually. He told a ridiculous story about one of his early days as a hotshot firefighter involving a rogue chipmunk, an overturned backpack, and all the snacks that got lost to that chipmunk.

I was laughing so hard I snorted. “Oh my God,” I said, wheezing. “You’re telling me chipmunks are your greatest threat?”

He grinned. “Fire second. Chipmunks first.”

As we ate, he filled me in on Willow Brook’s small-town happenings—gossip-light, nothing unkind.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be here,” I told him at one point.

“Well, the rumor is at least a month,” he said, nudging my booted foot lightly with his. “Doctor’s orders.”

“Yeah. I could try to fly back sooner, but it’d mean arranging and paying for special accommodations, and honestly, I kind of like the distance.” He held my gaze, quiet but attentive. “It’s not that I want to be dramatic about it,” I added, “but it’s been nice to have space from my parents and the whole mess of my life.” That earned a sympathetic nod. I hesitated, then kept going. “The affair wasn’t just a betrayal. It was so humiliating.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “He had an affair with someone at work.” I paused, swallowing the bitterness still lodged in my throat. “Some people took sides. Or pretended not to. It just sucks.”

“I bet.”

“And I’m still not sure what people know. I wouldn’t put it past my ex to run around trashing our sex life or saying whatever he wants. That’s the kind of person he turned out to be.”

Tanner’s eyes darkened. “That’s not okay.”

I shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable with how emotionally exposed I felt at this moment.

“So,” he prompted, his tone low, “this trip to Alaska was…?”

“A divorce trip,” I answered, attempting to sound flippant and failing. “Round two, technically. My friends planned one over the summer after I filed for divorce. We came back this winter because we loved it so much the first time.”

He tilted his head. “Was the divorce good or bad?”

I gave a dry laugh. “A little of both. Obviously, I don’t want to be with him. But the divorce process is overwhelming. I hated every second of it. And now, I just feel like…” I faltered, heat flaring in my cheeks. “Well, I failed.”

He shook his head firmly. “You didn’t fail. He cheated. That’s on him.”

“I know.” I swallowed, trying to keep emotion from tightening my throat. “But I wish I hadn’t married him. I wish this had all happened before.”

“How long were you married?”

“A year. Not even that long.” I huffed a breath. “Honestly, I don’t even know why he married me. I don’t think he ever really wanted to. What about you, though? I can’t believe you’re not married with kids. You’re a catch.”

Tanner’s gaze dropped to the counter for a beat. “My fiancée dumped me before the wedding.”

Although I knew the outlines from Holly, that was it. “That sucks. But why?”

“She said I was boring.”