The Resurrection of Wildflowers (Wildflower #2)(32)

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date,” I defend.

There’s a mirror above the small table near the stairs, that I use to check my reflection yet again, trying to slick back stray hairs. Maybe it would’ve been a better idea to keep my hair down, but I had wanted to do something different.

The doorbell rings and a legitimate scream flies past my lips, making both my mom and sister laugh.

“Oh, yeah, she’s nervous,” Georgia cackles. “Oh, no.” She looks down at her lap. “I think I peed a little.”

I stick my tongue out at her playfully before opening the door.

Thayer stands there looking ridiculously good—if he had any idea just how much I’m attracted to him he’d laugh. Or run the other way.

He’s clearly put more effort into his hair than usual, it’s brushed back and not as unruly. His facial hair is trimmed and neat. I was worried I might have overdressed—even though my dress is far from fancy—but I feel better seeing him in a nice pair of jeans and a pale blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

“These are for you.” He holds out yet another bouquet of pink peonies. I wonder where he’s getting them all. I can’t imagine our local florist has much.

“Peonies are going to take over the house,” I warn him with a smile, taking them and cradling them in my arms. “Lucky for you, I don’t mind.”

He chuckles, shoving his now empty hands in his pockets.

“Here, I’ll take those.” I didn’t even notice my sister get up from the couch. She holds her hands out for the bouquet and I pass it over. “You two kids have fun now.” She smacks me on the butt before waddling toward the kitchen.

Thayer holds out a hand for me to take before poking his head in the door. “I’ll bring her back soon, Allie.”

She smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Just take care of her for me.”

His gaze moves down to me, his smile growing. “I will.”

Shutting the door behind me, I let him hold my hand on the way to his truck that he’s moved into our driveway.

“I would’ve walked over. You’re literally right next door.”

“Nope.” He shakes his head forcefully. “This is a date. That means it starts with me picking you up from your house, not mine.” He opens the passenger door of his truck, offering a hand to help me up.

Once I’m safely inside he closes the door, walking around the front of the truck to climb in the driver’s side. He cranks the engine, grinning at me before he puts it in reverse.

“What?” I ask, wondering why he’s staring at me like that.

“I’m making a memory right now.”

My heart tugs at his statement. “I am too,” I whisper.

He leans over, cupping the back of my neck. “I refuse to let you be the one who got away.”

“What does that mean?” My eyes zero in on his lips, thinking of the kiss we shared in his truck only a week ago.

“I don’t want you to be someone I think about for the rest of my life, wondering what if? What if I’d tried harder? What if I had just told you how I felt?” He lowers his forehead to press gently against mine, our breaths sharing the same space. “I want you to be the one. That’s it. No second guessing. No wondering. Just a sure thing.”

“I—”

“Don’t say anything,” he pleads, pulling away. “I want to do this right. Get to know who you are now, date you for real, and I want to take my time.”

“Take your time with what?”

He wets his lips, looking at me like he’s afraid I might disappear. “Making you fall back in love with me.”

I don’t say anything to that as he backs out of the driveway, but I can’t help thinking that I’m not sure I ever fell out of love with him.





CHAPTER 23





SALEM





I’m surprised when Thayer turns into the parking lot of the local park. I’m not sure what exactly I was expecting but it wasn’t this.

“What are we doing here?” I turn around, looking for any sign of why he would’ve chosen this spot for our first date. But it looks the same as it always did. Lots of open fields, a wooden playground for the children, and a walking trail along the perimeter.

“We’re having a picnic.”

“A picnic?” I brighten, never having thought of that.

“Originally, I planned for us to eat on a blanket in the grass, but the storm last night kind of ruined that. But there’s the gazebo so I figure that can work.”

Somehow, I had forgotten about the storm, but that explains why it’s mostly empty at the park today with no one wanting to risk the muddy mess of grass.

Thayer reaches to open his door, quickly looking back at me. “You wait there.”

“Wha—”

He doesn’t let me finish before he’s out and closing his door. He comes around the truck and opens my door, holding out his hand.

“I’m doing things right with you.”

My heart does a somersault.

I accept his help without protest. When my feet land on the ground, his hands go to my hips. He doesn’t say anything, and I don’t either. But I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing I am—that I never thought we’d end up here. When I got back together with Caleb, I made myself say goodbye to this part of my life, to him. I mourned the loss of what we could’ve been.