Page 37 of Now and Then

She studies the sketches for a long moment. “Then, I guess you’ve got yourself an interior designer.”

I break out into a huge grin.

“I want to hear all about your plans,” I say, gesturing to her sketches of my house. “Let me grab the food before you tell me more.” I head back into the rain and toward my truck.

“The food?” She calls after me.

“Yeah, babe. Food,” I yell over my shoulder. “You always forget to eat.”

“Not always.”

I shake my head, rain soaking through my shirt.

She can pretend this is just a remodel.

That I’m just another project she can manage and keep at arm’s length.

I know it isn’t.

8

Sutton

Hunter and I dive into my sketches, creating a game plan for his home while shoveling down Chinese food straight from the cartons. The hours blur together, and by the time we are in our vehicles pulling away from the property, my cheeks feel permanently flushed.

I had pictured him arguing with me about every little detail. I figured we’d end up bickering—our favorite pastime—but none of that happened.

I even suggested we paint the master bedroom blush pink, and he just said, “Whatever you want, babe.”

As I brake at the end of the dirt drive, I catch him in my rearview mirror. His dash is lined with hats—but somehow, I can still see him watching me.

All at once, my shoulders loosen. My muscles go lax.

Today did not go as I intended.

But I’m not mad about where it’s ending.

Hunter taps his horn, and I jolt. Even from this distance, I see his shoulders shaking with laughter. I roll my eyes just as my phone lights up.

Hunter: Stop overthinking this.

Me: I’m not overthinking anything.

Lies.

Hunter: Sutton.

Me: Fine. God, you’re so damn bossy.

Hunter: I can be. But I think maybe you like it.

My eyes meet his in the rearview mirror again.

There’s no teasing in his expression now. No smirk. No challenge. Just heat.

I exhale hard, like that might cool the electric sparks under my skin. It doesn’t.

“Dammit, Sutton,” I mutter, my gaze still locked on his reflection. “What have you gotten yourself into?”