Page 45 of Resisting the Fall

Maven laughed. “Not all the time. When we got to the top and it was just the two of us, you told me you liked my eyes. Also a bit reluctantly, but you said it.”

I chuckled. “Wow. I can see why that’s a favorite.”

“And then there was the time we went sledding, and our tube flipped and you landed on top of me.”

My lips parted. “Why would that make your list?”

“Because you felt so bad, you carried me the entire way back to your parents’ Suburban and sat with me until everyone else finished. I ended up having a few bruised ribs.”

I shook my head. “Looks like I have some serious work to do so we can get you a better list of memories.”

Her smile turned mischievous. “I have an idea for one.”

I quirked my head, trying not to put too much thought into where she was going with that comment. “What’s that?”

She turned forward in her seat again, placing her hands stiffly on her lap. “We just sit here together and watch the sunset.”

I shrugged and leaned back in the seat. “Sounds good to me.”

Maven side-eyed me. “You’re fine with this?”

I reached over and grabbed her hand, interlocking our fingers. “Now I am.”

The smile she gave me was worth all the self-restraint in the world. Besides, as long as I was with Maven, I was happy.

Maven

The sound of drawers opening and closing pulled me from my sleep. Finn was curled up at the bottom of the couch with an eye cracked open. I wasn’t sure when he’d joined me in the night, but he clearly didn’t appreciate the noise Ben was making this early either.

I sat up, staying wrapped in the blanket to fight off the chill in the air. “Morning,” I said before clearing the sleep from my voice. “Do you need help finding something?”

Ben’s gaze settled on me. His headshake wasn’t in response to my question. He was giving me the you-are-such-a-pain-in-my-butt variety. “Currently, my cast-iron skillet.”

“Hmm.” I tapped my lips with a finger. “Did you try the drawer beneath the oven?”

Ben huffed and opened the drawer. “Nope. But there’s my silverware.”

“That’s right.” I stood up, appraising the space. “Maybe try the large drawer below the sink.”

“I didn’t realize you had such a knack for reorganizing,” Ben said, walking to the sink.

“It’s a newfound talent.”

“How new? As of last night?”

I just smiled.

He opened the drawer and stilled. His unimpressed gaze lifted to mine, then he raised a pair of his work boots. “Really?”

I barely restrained the laugh that bubbled up my throat before reluctantly dropping the blanket on the couch and heading through the kitchen to the stairs. “I’ll be in the bathroom, but good luck finding that skillet.”

Ben stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “You know exactly where it is, don’t you?”

I didn’t step away but met his gaze, ignoring the way my whole body tensed at his proximity. “Possibly.”

“But you’re not going to tell me?”

I pursed my lips. “Where’s the fun in that?”