“The second wedding on the island is next Saturday, right? Will Taylor be here Friday night?” Phaedra asked.

I wiped down the last of the tables.

“Taylor leaves Thursday for Eakins. There’s a bachelor party on Friday night. I’m flying straight to Saint Thomas on Saturday,” I said.

A steady beat of knocking came from the door, and I looked up to see Gunnar standing there, pointing to Taylor standing next to him.

Kirby opened the door, letting them in, and I dropped my rag before throwing my arms and legs around Taylor.

Taylor pressed his lips against mine. “Hi, gorgeous!” he said, lowering me to the floor.

I kissed him again, and then I picked up the rag off the floor. My heart was pounding in my chest as if I’d just run a marathon. It didn’t matter how many nights I saw him standing on the other side of the glass. It made me feel the same every time.

Chuck walked through the swinging doors, putting a hand on his round belly. “What time did you leave Estes Park?”

“On time,” Taylor said.

Chuck laughed. “You must drive like a maniac. You need to quit that, boy, or you’re going to end up launching off a ridge.”

I grimaced.

Taylor bent down to kiss me. “I drove a little fast, but I was careful. I was in a hurry to get here.”

“It’s snowing,” I said. “You can’t drive fast and careful when it’s snowing.”

He stood up tall. “Obviously, I can.”

Gunnar and Taylor each took a seat on the stools, catching up and cracking jokes with Chuck and Hector. Kirby and I finished our duties, making sure not to leave anything for Hannah the next day.

“You guys coming upstairs?” I asked, drying my hands with a clean rag.

Kirby and Gunnar looked at each other.

Gunnar nodded. “Sure. I just have one paper to write this weekend. It can wait.”

We said good-bye to everyone, and then Kirby and Gunnar followed Taylor and me upstairs.

“The good thing about having a girlfriend who doesn’t drink?” Taylor was bent over in the kitchen, rummaging in my fridge. He wheeled around with a beer bottle in his hand. He popped the top with a smile and flicked the lid into the trash. “I know she won’t drink my stash while I’m gone.” He strolled over to the couch, making me bounce when he fell into the cushion next to me.

I leaned into his side, letting that relaxing wonderful feeling that filled the loft when Taylor was there warm me like a blanket.

He stretched his arm over the back of the couch, touching my shoulder with his fingers, and then he held out his bottle to Gunnar. “There are a few more in the fridge.”