He relaxed on the bed. “I’m all yours.” She pulled off his gray t-shirt, the worn shirt that he’d been wearing when they’d first bumped into each other, and she tenderly ran her hands across his chest.

He took a quick indrawn breath and moved slightly. “I’m ticklish.”

“You are?”

“I’m embarrassed to admit that I am.” He was tightening his muscles as if preparing for her ticklish touch.

She lay down next to him and kissed him. “You shouldn’t be. That just makes you all the more endearing.”

“Are you?” He tickled her, and she giggled.

“Stop, yes, some places.” She laughed and moved away.

He kissed her again, and his hand moved down to hold her tightly against him. They fit together perfectly. Their glances met, and the air shimmered around them.

“We need to pull the curtains shut,” she said.

“On it,” he said, leaping up to close the curtains.

They spent the rest of the night researching just how good it was between them.

They fell asleep holding hands, and she only woke up when Jake tickled her in the morning. She opened her eyes to see his blue eyes smiling at her, his muscular chest leaning over her in the bed, the sheet only up to his waist.

“Hi.” He kissed her quickly, his lips firm.

“Hi,” she said shyly.

“Do you have to work, or can we spend the day together?” he asked, almost hesitantly.

It was Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day. Technically, it was a holiday, but she had planned to work. She remembered Eve’s words: if you sleep with Jake and you’ve got plans, you cancel those plans. She hadn’t imagined that those words would ever apply to her. She’d had so many unrequited crushes, but here he was—with her. And last night—her face flushed.

He kissed her. “You’re so cute when you blush.”

“I hate that I blush.”

“No, you shouldn’t.” He tenderly ran his fingers through her hair.

“I don’t have to work today,” she said. “What do you want to do?”

“I have a really fun idea. Let’s go mountain biking.”

“Mountain biking?” she asked, surprised.

“Have you ever been?”

“No.”

“You’ll love it. Perfect for today’s fall weather. I know a really good beginner’s path. We can either go to a trail in Queens or Staten Island. If you’re up for it, I’m pretty sure I can rent a bike for you.”

It was not what she’d expected him to suggest, but it would be fun to be out biking on a crisp October day, especially with the leaves turning a kaleidoscope of colors: yellow, green, orange, burnt umber.

“I’m up for it,” she said enthusiastically.

He smiled. “That’s my girl.”

And she felt like she was definitely his girl.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two