LILA

I am ridiculous.

The sound of the garage door opening sends butterflies soaring around in my chest. It’s become one of my favorite notifications, even if some days I wish I could mute the mechanical rattle. As clunky as it is, it’s the happy sound that lets me know my man is home.

Sometimes, I’m the one rolling in while he preps dinner or sets takeout on the table. Once in a while, our schedules line up and we manage to carpool together. However it happens, being with Grant is the best part of every day.

I hope seeing him always brings out this giddy excitement. It sure hasn’t faded yet—if anything, he gives me even more fluttery feelings than he did when we first met.

He clearly feels the same about me. He’s through the garage door and hugging me from behind before I can even step away from the tomatoes I’m chopping. My laughter turns into a soft sigh.

“Hey, princess.” His voice purrs across my skin.

A shiver runs up my back, and I have just enough sense to put down the knife before I spin to face him. Then, my sense disappears entirely as he kisses me hello.

Really, the greeting is more of a long and detailed preview of all the plans he has for us.

I’m not much for to-do lists, but I’m all in favor of everything Grant’s silently suggesting.

When he finally pulls away, I need a second to get my bearings. Thank goodness for his warm arms around me, since I’m a little wobbly after that searing kiss. Five stars.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” I point a finger for good measure, but he’s melted me down to a puddle of goo. My resolve is a sham. It always has been with him. “Everyone will be here in thirty minutes.”

“You’re right. I need so much more time than that.” He leans in close and presses a kiss where my neck meets my shoulder. “I need hours.” Another soft kiss behind my ear. “Days.”

I’m trying to be strong, but he knows my weakest spots. “You’re a distraction, mountain man.”

He leans back to look at me, eyes practically sparkling. “I’ll try to behave.”

He’ll do no such thing, but it’s not like I actually want him to. If we didn’t have the threat of my family charging through the front door, I’d have tackled him already.

“Good day?” I finally ask.

“Yup. But even better now.” He presses a quick kiss to my forehead and releases me. “Tell me where you want me.”

He unbuttons his flannel shirt’s cuffs and rolls the sleeves. Oof, this man is my undoing. I’m about to faint dead away just from the sight of my husband’s overly-attractive forearms.

See? Ridiculous.

But if I pass out now from eyeing him, it will make for a poor dinner party later tonight. I pick my brain cells up off the floor and try to focus.

“You can finish chopping the tomatoes and basil for the caprese salad. I’ll get water going for the ravioli.”

Hope and Griffin are bringing a fancy loaf of bread, and Mom and Dad said they’re bringing tiramisu. That’s right, we’ve started Irwin family dinners, Sunshine style. In our case, that means Irwin-McBride-Parrish family dinners, and we switch out hosting duties every week. Our friends join us pretty often, but tonight, it’s just family.

I love that Grant looks forward to the get-togethers just as much as I do. Even if some nights we’d rather live up to our newlywed status and stay home hurkle-durkling.

“How are your music in the park plans going?” he asks.

“Sunshine at Sunset’s schedule’s just about full. We’ll have live bands playing in town square every Saturday evening, all summer long.”

“It was a great idea. I can’t wait.”

I can’t, either. I’m even looking forward to hearing the two teenage garage bands that signed up to play. Approval hinged on promising their lyrics won’t stray into NSFW territory, and I’ll have my fingers crossed they’ll follow through.

“Anything new with the Fourth Fest?” He already gets regular updates, but that doesn’t stop him from asking for more.

I think he just likes hearing me talk about things that get me excited. Next, he’ll probably ask about the bookstore that’s going to open on Maple Street this summer.

“Bigger and better than ever,” I tell him with a grin. “We got another float proposal—the small animal rescue wants to have one to show off their adoptable dogs.”

“Smart move. They’ll all have new homes before they get to the end of the parade route.”

“Wren said we should do something similar for the singles in town. She already has a name for it: The Flirty Float.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“I’m honestly a little bit afraid she’ll come through with the participation fee and actually do it.” It’d either be great for publicity or truly terrible. Or, knowing Wren, both at once.

“As long as you stay away from the flirty float, I don’t care what she does.”

“Aw. You’ve already got me. You don’t have to be jealous.” Even if I secretly love it.

“I’m not jealous. I’m possessive.” He pulls me away from the stove and wraps me tight in his arms, leaning in until our foreheads touch. “You’re mine.”

My stomach swoops low. His sternness gets me every time. “You really have been reading up on your romance tropes.”

He makes a growly sound in the back of his throat. “My wife.”

Oh, sweet goodness. He sure knows what he’s doing.

“You can’t my wife me fifteen minutes before my family gets here.” It’s obliterated my focus.

“Can I my wife you fifteen minutes after they leave?” His eyes shine with all sorts of promises.

“Ten.” I run my hands over the back of his neck. “Later, do you want to indulge in even more tropes?”

“Always. Which ones are you thinking?”

I make a face like it’s not a big deal. “Maybe only one tent again?”

My man’s eyes light up. “You want to go camping?”

“When it warms up some more.” He and Griffin went on an overnight fishing trip a couple of weekends ago and woke up to a dusting of snow on their tents. No, thank you.

His mouth tips up. “Our last trip over the summer didn’t ruin it for you forever?”

“They really should make opossum spray.” I startled one in the night, screams were involved on both sides, it was a whole thing. “And while I’m not totally convinced I don’t have a tragic curse when it comes to being outdoors…I like being with you.”

He cups my face in his hands, and his flirtatiousness fades. “I love you, Lila. Everywhere, and in all ways.”

“I love you, too. Even in the woods.”