Page 77 of Close Your Eyes
“Ledger Thorne,” Paxton Atwood says, stepping up to our table and holding out his hand.
I shake it firmly. “Paxton, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Posey.” I know Posey and I haven’t labeled exactly what we are to one another yet, but she’s lucky I don’t introduce her as my wife. Because that’s what she’ll be as soon as this mess is cleared up and we get ourselves settled back in Saint Pierce.
Posey’s all smiles, shaking Paxton’s hand as he tells her a little bit about the brewery. “It’s so great here,” she says. “I love this Kunt Kicker IPA I’m drinking.”
Paxton laughs. “That’s one of our best beers. Although my girlfriend, Hartford, would fight you on it. She loves the Puppy Politics Pilsner.”
Posey laughs lightly. “I’ll have to try that one next.”
I lean back in my seat, eyes wide. “So, you finally got off your ass and asked her to be your girlfriend?”
Paxton’s had a thing for Hartford for as long as I’ve known him. He’s our beer distributor for the club, and every time he comes in for an order, he always talks about her. They grew up together, been best friends as long as they’ve known one another, and now they’re happily together. Sort of reminds me of Greer and Roman.
Paxton’s genuinely happy as he nods. “She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m going to ask her to marry me soon.”
I catch Posey’s attention, our eyes locking. “I know exactly what you mean,” I say, and Posey blushes bright pink. “I plan on doing the same thing.” I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.
Paxton raps his knuckles along the table. “I’m glad you both came in. Let me take care of your bill, anything you want on us.”
“You don’t have to do that, my friend.”
Paxton shakes his head. “Nope. It’s seriously on me. You helped me out more than you’ll ever know by giving Hartford and me those passes to your club.”
I smile. “I’m glad it all worked out.”
Paxton agrees. “It definitely did. Enjoy your time here,” he says, focusing on Posey. “It was great to meet you.”
She nods. “Likewise.”
As Paxton walks away, I turn back to Posey. The soft light of the brewery casts a warm glow on her face, and I can't help but feel grateful for this moment. The atmosphere around us buzzes with laughter and clinking glasses, but all I can focus on is the woman sitting across from me. The future feels promising, filled with endless possibilities and the shared dreams we talked about by the lake.
Chapter 26
Posey
Everything feels magical as we head back to our room at the Rosewood Cottage. Ledger can’t keep his hands off me, and it makes me feel sexy, the way his hands linger along my skin, tracing invisible patterns that send shivers down my spine.
“I wish we could live here forever,” I say as soon as Ledger locks the door behind us. The soft light from the vintage lamp casts a warm, cozy flicker in the room.
“We can,” he says, removing his shirt in one swift motion. His tattoos catch my eye, the intricate designs traveling up and down his tanned skin.
“We can’t. We have to head back to our real lives. Have you heard from Chloe yet?” I ask, trying to focus on the present.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and swipes it on. “She sent a text, letting me know her cousin Vin will be extracting us soon.”
I step closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and nuzzling my face just below his collarbone, breathing in his familiar scent. “I’m scared,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.
He tosses the phone onto the bed and folds me into his embrace. “Don’t be. We’re in this together, and I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
I want to believe him. I really do, but I’m terrified of the man Bane is. He’s a monster, capable of hurting us in every way possible.
“Remember what Mayor Thornberg said,” Ledger says, his voice steady and reassuring.
I lean back to gaze into his eyes. “What?”
“Bane’s broke. He’s got no money, and I’m willing to bet he doesn’t have as many allies as we think he does.”
I blow out a deep breath. “I hope you’re right.”