Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
“I agree. Also, it’s beautiful in the fall. You’ll love that.”
Reaching over, I grab his hand. “It’s a date,” I say with a smile.
“It’s a date,” Briar confirms.
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I have a feeling it will be bright.
EPILOGUE
Briar
Fall
Dawson hands me my afternoon latte at Sip and Savor. “The autumn leaves are going to be magical.”
I grin, my heart melting. This has been a year of firsts for me with Dawson. The New Year’s kiss at midnight, the spring weekend at Bright’s Hollow to help with the harvest, and his current enthusiasm about leaves and pumpkins and apple cider. He’s made me see my childhood differently and appreciate my parents even more.
“What have you done to my brother?” Nathan scoffs as he steps to the counter. “He used to be so chill, but now he’s acting like a kid at Christmas.”
“Hey, don’t rush the seasons,” Dawson scolds. “I’m enjoying the simple things.”
“I’m also enjoying the simple things, albeit differently,” Nathan quips, throwing me a sidelong glance. Dawson clears his throat and turns away to make Nathan’s smoothie.
The brothers’ banter regarding Nathan’s dating life no longer triggers those older, undeserving feelings. I’ve gotten to know him better this year and realized just how wrong we were for each other. He’s a good guy who likes adventure, casual flings, an extravagant lifestyle, and that’s just not me. How I didn’t see it sooner is beyond me. Rose-colored glasses and all that. But when it comes to Dawson, I don’t need them because he’s the real deal.
In fact, when I met their parents for a boat ride—or I should say yacht—in the harbor this past summer, I noticed the resemblance between them and Nathan. They were nice and accommodating, but much of the conversation turned to travel, the stock market, and business ventures. Dawson seemed the odd man out, which was a bummer, and though he’s learned to hide his feelings about his parents, I’ve gotten good at reading what’s beneath his happy-go-lucky attitude.
But despite their sometimes incompatible personalities, he and Nathan will always be close, and that warms my heart. If push comes to shove, they will always have each other’s backs. Not that Dawson’s parents don’t love him, they just have a different way of showing it. I wish they’d express the sentiment more, but it’s not my place to say anything. Besides, my parents make up for it tenfold in their adoration for my boyfriend.
Sigh…boyfriend. Some days it still doesn’t feel real.
“We better get on the road before all the leaves fall from the trees,” I tease. “I told my parents we’d be on our way soon.”
“Okay, grabbing my things.” Dawson turns to his most trusted employee, Andrea, who was recently promoted to manager. “You’ll hold down the fort?”
She lightheartedly rolls her eyes. “Of course. All good. It’s only for a few days.”
Dawson removes his apron, snatches his overnight bag, and heads around the counter. “Keep this guy out of trouble too,” he says, playfully swatting Nathan’s head.
“I’m not the one riding around on three-wheelers and chopping wood like some lumberjack-city-boy hybrid.” His fingers brush through his bangs to fix his perfectly coiffed hair. “I’ve seen your social media photos. How you think that’s fun is beyond me.”
Dawson throws me a nervous glance, still worried when Nathan teases me, and I laugh to reassure him.
“I’ll remember never to invite you along again,” I tease Nathan right back.
I’ll admit, it was awkward between Nathan and me at first. But soon enough our uncomfortable silences morphed into banter.
“Hey, I did you a favor,” Nathan jokes, and God, it’s refreshing that our breakup doesn’t sting anymore.
“You sure did.” I wink. “Thanks for that.”
His eyes soften as he watches his brother grab my hand and usher me toward the door. He truly is happy for us.
My car’s idling at the curb, and once on the road, we turn up the radio and fall into a comfortable silence. The farther east we travel, the more appealing the backdrop of turning leaves becomes. Dawson snaps pictures, but undoubtedly, the photos won’t do the landscape justice. Eventually we stop for a snack and bathroom break that just happens to be near a scenic overlook.
We walk to the railing and marvel at the view of gold, orange, and red trees shimmering in the sunlight. The view of the mountains’ colors in Bright’s Hollow is going to blow his mind, and I feel fortunate that I’ll be there to see that youthful gleam in his eyes.
He winds his arms around me from behind. “Question.”
I rest my head against his shoulder. “Go for it.”
“You sure Nathan’s teasing doesn’t bother you? I can tell him—”
“Nope.” I turn to peck his cheek. “Because I’m with the right guy. Did hearing what Mark and I were up to in high school bother you?”