It’s five p.m., and I’m pacing Riverside like a caged animal. Thankfully, this cabin is big, or I might go stir-crazy. I’ve changed my shirt three times, which is ridiculous because we’ll be outdoors at night. But I want this to be perfect, an unforgettable experience.

    My phone buzzes with texts from Patterson that I’ve been ignoring. I can’t deal with hismentary right now, not after the inte decided it was obsessed with my and Julie’s story, which seems to be writing itself. I’m trying to ignore it and not let it get to me, even though it is. I want to protect her from my world, keep her away from the bullshit I have to put up with. Unfortunately, that’s not reality, and it never will be, thanks to who I am.

    A knock at the door interrupts my spiral. When I open it, Zane’s standing in jogging pants and a hoodie, holding two beers while wearing a knowing smirk.

    “What are you doing here?”

    “That’s not the way to greet your bestie,” Zane says, inviting himself inside. “You look like you’re about to have a panic attack.”

    “I’m perfectly fine,” I tell him.

    “Sure you are.” He hands me the beer. “That’s why you’ve been pacing in front of the window for thest ten minutes.”

    I roll my eyes. “How would you know?”

    He walks to the oversized windows and points at his four-wheeler. “I’ve been sitting there, watching you.”

    “Stalker,” I say.

    “Just trying to figure out what’s going on with you,” he says. “With you and Jules.”

    I exhale. “Nothing to discuss.”

    “Come on.” Zane settles on my couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. “I know that look. I wore it when I first got with Autumn. I understand what you’re going through.”

    I move into the living room.

    Heughs. “You don’t have to admit anything to me. You’re practically my brother. It’s written on your face.”

    I take a drink of the beer, noticing it’s a pumpkin one from the local brewery. “It’s reallyplicated.”

    “It always is.” He studies me. “But isn’t that the fun part? Figuring it out?”

    We exchange smiles.

    “Meeting Autumn changed my life. Coming here was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I learned a lot about what matters and doesn’t. You’ll figure it out. A Banks always gets what he wants.”

    This makes me chuckle. “Fuck off.”

    “Oh, it’s true though. It’s something I’ve always admired about you. If you want something, youmit and work until you have it.” He drinks. “Even my fiancée.”

    “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” I ask, shaking my head.

    “Not on your fucking life,” he says, cocky as hell.

    “You’re a bastard,” I say.

    “Yeah, I might be, but at least I didn’t have your sloppy seconds. But,” he continues, “thank you. I’m so d you saved me from marrying her. If all that horrible shit hadn’t gone down, I wouldn’t havee here and met Autumn. It was because of you and her that I left. I mourned our friendship more than my rtionship.”

    “I did too,” I admit.

    “It’s like you took one for the team,” he says.

    “I never thought of it like that. I’m not a victim, but she took advantage of me when I was at my weakest,” I tell him.

    “I know. And while I give you shit, I’ve forgiven you. You know that, right? I’m not pissed. I like giving you a hard time because it makes you squirm like a little bitch. But I meant what I said earlier; you’re like a brother to me. I’m thrilled that you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

    “You have such a great way of showing it,” I say.

    “Piss off,” he says, chugging the rest of his beer. “What are your ns tonight?”

    “I want to do something special for Julie. Stargazing maybe? Any ce with water?”

    Zane’s eyes light up. “I have the perfect location. But you’ll need my side-by-side to get there. There’s a trail behind my house that cuts into another trail that has this natural-fedke from a spring. I found it and brought Autumn there once. Other people know about it, apparently, but it’s secluded. You’d hear someoneing.”

    He pulls out his phone, showing me a map.

    “Wow. That’s perfect.”

    “Park at Hollow Manor, and I’ll lend you my side-by-side. I’ll park it at the trailhead with the keys in it when I get home.” He stands, then pauses. “It doesn’t surprise me that you have a thing for her. She’s exactly like my wife. They could be the same person. Actually, Julie is sassier, which is just what you need. But be careful with her, okay? I can’t clean up your mess if you make one.”

    “I don’t n on ruining this.”

    “I know, but she’s Autumn’s best friend, and she’s a really good person. Just don’t y the usual games you y. And know that Jules won’t leave Cozy Creek. That coffee shop is her family’s legacy. Make sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into. It’s a bigmitment, and I don’t know if you’ve gotten over that dating for thirty days and drop them t bullshit.”

    It makes me chuckle. “I’m working on it. We’ve talked about it. The two of us are on the same page. On October thirty-first, we’ll decide what happens. We’ll end it there or continue seeing one another. Clean break. Clear ending. I’m spending the next few weeks discovering who I am and figuring out if she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I’m tired of games. I want a reason to live my life. I’ve been miserable,” I admit.

    “Hey, I get it,” he says. “Last year, when I arrived, I sat in silence for two days. I remember staring up at the sky, wondering if that was all there was to life. I felt … lost. Then Autumn found me. Being here changed me, and it looks like it’s changing you too. Mom always said the mountain air could cure anything.”

    “I miss your mom,” I say quietly.

    “I do too,” he tells me. “You know, I’ve found letters that she wrote for me, hidden all over the house.”

    “Wow,” I say. “I wish I had letters from Eden.”

    “Your sister would be happy for you,” he says. “Eden would love that you’re here, enjoying the pumpkins.”

    I feel that burn in my nose, and I clench my jaw. Sometimes, when I think about her, it catches me.

    “Moving away from the city worked for me. I’m happier, closer to the slopes,” he admits. “You can make anything work, Nick.”

    “Yeah,” I tell him. “Or maybe I’ll retire early and pick up a painting hobby.”

    Zane snickers. “Yeah, because if I recall, we had a pact that we’d be friends forever and that we’d raise our kids together.”

    I stare at him. “Are you telling me Autumn is pregnant?”

    Laughter roars out of him. “No, not yet. Hopefully soon. She’s sent her book out to publishers, and she’s hoping it gets picked up. Seeing how that goes first.”

    “Wait, you’re trying?” I whisper. “I’m happy for you.”

    “Thanks. I’m not trying to convince you of shit, but I’d love you to be here as long as you’re happy. Snowboarding season is incredible. I hit the slopes every damn day. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in Cozy Creek. During the winter, it transforms into a little Christmas town.”

    I smile, letting out a deep breath. “You’re living your dream.”

    “I am.” Zane lifts his hand and ces it on my shoulder. “Don’t fuck this up. Got it?”

    “It’s funny that everyone keeps telling me that,” I say.

    “Falling in love looks good on you,” he singsongs as he sees himself out. “Don’t even knock when you show up at Hollow Manor. A side-by-side will be waiting with the keys, fully gassed and ready to go. I’ll even set up wood in the firepit so it’s ready for you to start when you arrive. Bring more supplies with you. A few nkets, towels, antern, and extra firewood. It has an incredible view of the Milky Way that reflects off the water. It’s special.”

    “Sounds like it.”

    “I’m rooting for you.”

    “Thanks. Also, can you keep this to yourself? I wasn’t supposed to tell you shit.”

    “Hmm, the only thing I remember discussing was a ce to look at the stars. That’s about it.” I shrug.

    “Thank you.”

    After he leaves, I spend the next hour nning a date night by ake. After ransacking the cabin, I pack supplies into the back of the Range Rover. nkets, tons of firewood, dinner from the diner, along with a cooler with champagne and strawberries. A few condoms, just in case. I even pack string lights that run on batteries that I found in a drawer. It’s everything I could possibly need. I take the ten-minute drive to Hollow Manor, transfer the supplies into the back of the side-by-side, then patiently wait for her to arrive.

    At seven fifteen on the dot, the car delivers Julie. She steps out, wearing jeans, a slinky blouse, a leather jacket, and boots. Her hair falls in waves around her shoulders. Her eyes are blindfolded.

    I’m starstruck, looking at how damn gorgeous she is with those kissable lips.

    I move toward her and grab her hands.

    “Hi,” she says, suddenly shy.

    “Hi.” I study her, wondering what she’s thinking right now as the car drives away. “You look beautiful.”

    “Thank you. I wish I could see you …” She gestures at herself. “I can change if this isn’t appropriate.”

    “What you’re wearing is perfect. ssy.” I pull her with me, holding her by my side. “Trust me?”

    “Yes,” she says, and I pull her with me, helping her move forward. “We’re alone, right? Like, I’m not going to be in front of a crowd of people when I take this blindfold off, right?”

    “We’repletely alone,” I tell her.

    “Great,” she whispers. “I hear the wind through the trees. Where are we?”

    I chuckle. “It’s a surprise. But you’re going to lift your leg and sit, okay?”

    She nods, and I help her onto the side-by-side, then climb in beside her.

    Immediately, her hand reaches for me, and she holds me tight as I reach across her to buckle her in.

    The drive to our special spot will take about ten minutes. The engine is too loud for us to chat, so we just enjoy holding each other. Herughter mixes with shrieks when I hit bumps and her hair flies in the breeze. It’s a dream—all of it. When we finally stop, I can hear the soft whoosh of water against the shore.

    “Stay here,” I tell her, quickly lighting the fire Zane set up. I unpack the supplies from the back, then quickly set it up.

    When everything’s ready, I help her out and position her just right.

    “Okay,” I say, untying the blindfold. “Open.”

    She gasps.

    We’re in a clearing surrounded by tall evergreens. String lights twinkle next to the nket I have for us on the ground. A fire crackles in a makeshift fire ring, and nkets and pillows are arranged beside it. Beyond that, theke reflects the evening sky that’s fading to dark. Eventually, it will be fully dark, and the stars will appear.

    “Nick,” she breathes. “This is …”

    “Too much?”

    “A dream.” She turns to me, eyes bright. “How did you find this ce?”

    “Zane. It’s his and Autumn’s secret spot.”

    “And they know you’re bringing me here?”

    I nod. “He read it on my face. Zane knows me better than anyone. He stopped by before I left and suggested this spot. He knows what we have is only temporary.”

    “Isn’t it always?” She tilts her head at me.

    “Usually,” I admit.

    She sighs. “I don’t want to hide it from them, but I don’t want the outside pressure, you know? That’s our decision.”

    I tuck her hair behind her ear. “I know what you mean. We’re in the same canoe.”

    This makes her smile. “Without oars.”

    “Nah, we have those. Just dealing with a headwind.”

    She licks her lips. “Better analogy.”

    “Why?” I ask, the fire reflecting from her face.

    “Because headwinds aren’t forever. It’s only a temporary obstacle,” she exins. “What is the solution to our problem?”

    “First, we have to define the problem,” I tell her. I remove the food from the pic basket, handing her a stic container. “Imagine this being a five-star gourmet meal. If we were in the city, I’d have brought you to this rooftop restaurant with the best view.”

    “This view is better.” She meets my eyes, then opens her to-go container. “And beef tips with gravy is gourmet. Very happy about this.”

    She pulls a stic fork from the bottom of the bag and hands me one too.

    “But you’re right. What are our obstacles? In our rtionship?”

    “I could make you a PowerPoint,” I offer.

    Laughter bursts out of her and echoes off the trees. It makes me happy, knowing my one-liners crack her up.

    “I thought we were never to mention the PowerPoint again?”

    “True,” I say. “One problem is my inability to fullymit and give myself to someone.”

    “You sound like a walking red g,” she says.

    “You’d better run,” I tell her.

    “Actually, red is my favorite color,” she tells me.

    I twirl a piece of her hair around my finger. “Mine too.”

    “Our locations are a problem. You’d have to be willing to move because it’s a hard no for me,” she says. “Oh, and I don’t know if I can actually fall in love again.”

    “Are you trying?” I ask.

    Her eyes meet my lips. “Yes.”

    “Will you let me know?”

    “I’ll tell you on Halloween,” she says. “Right now, I’m happy and having an incredible time. I’m taking it one day at a time. And eventually, the future version of us will have to decide what happens.”

    “Cheers to that.” The lingering stress about the future immediately melts away.

    “Let’s make the days count. Be unforgettable,” she says with a soft smile.

    “You’re so fucking special,” I mutter, wondering how I got so damn lucky.

    Had I not gotten into an argument with Asher about attending my mother’s engagement party, I wouldn’t have been at the bar. I would never have met her. It was abination of events I could’ve never predicted that kept bringing us together. And this is the third time.

    “Third time’s a charm,” I say as we finish our food.

    “ire said something to me along those lines. Oh no.” Julie gasps. “She did a love spell.”

    Now I’mughing until it echoes off the trees. I pour more champagne into both of our sses. There is another bottle in the cooler.

    “And? You think I’m obsessed with you because your friend lit a candle?”

    She yfully rolls her eyes. “Yes! What if all this ends at the next full moon?”

    I pretend to pull an invisible string, and she crawls over to me.

    “You summoned me. Now what?” she asks.

    “Oh, my string was connected to you?” I ask. “If I had known that, I would’ve tugged harder.”

    She smiles, offering a soft kiss. “You make life fun.”

    “I think it’s you. I like the things you say when you want to fill the silence.”

    “I like how you appreciate it. Some don’t.”

    I steal a kiss, and then Julie returns to sitting beside me.

    The breeze slows down, and I add more wood to the fire as the sky darkens. Julie points out constetions, making up silly stories for each one.

    “That one,” she says, pointing, “is the constetion of the coffee goddess. She was cursed to live a life where no man ever found her bean.”

    “A terrible fate,” I say, unable to hold back myughter, pulling her closer.

    “The worst.” She turns in my arms. “What did you think the first time we met? Like, your first impression?”

    “Oh, that’s easy. I thought you smelled like flowers. Then, when I turned my head and saw you crying, I thought you were a Das Cowboys fan too.”

    She bursts intoughter. “I forgot they lost that night.”

    I stare up at the sky, my eyes scanning over the stars. “You were like a goddess, and I couldn’t understand who would make you cry. Broke my heart.”

    She turns and looks at me. “You were a godsend. I’ll never forget what you said to me.”

    “What did I say?” I ask, not remembering anything that came from my mouth.

    “Only piece-of-shit men make pretty women cry. And then you asked me if I had an OnlyFans.”

    “Oh yeah, I remember that now. You were so shocked I’d asked. But I wanted you to smile.”

    “It worked.”

    It grows quiet for a few seconds, and we listen to each other breathe.

    “That night, I knew there was something between us, something I couldn’t name. I thought about that conversation for weeks. Was pissed that you had given me a fakest name, but now I understand why.”

    “Yeah, well, imagine how surprised I was to see you standing in Zane and Autumn’s house. You lied and said you were a tourist.”

    “Sorry,” she says. “I didn’t want to see you again.”

    “Meanwhile, I was dreaming about your face, but?—”

    “I wasn’t ready,” we say at the same time.

    “That’s why I didn’t text you back,” I confess. “Because I knew if I did, I’de back for you.”

    “And yet here you are,” she whispers.

    “We’re unavoidable,” I say, tucking hair behind her ear and sliding a kiss across her lips.

    She releases a satisfied sigh. “That’s how it feels.”

    I look up, noticing it’s finally dark and more stars are out.

    “Come on,” I say, standing. “Ready to do this?”

    “What?” she asks.

    I peel off my shirt. “Stargazing while skinny-dipping.”

    “Right now?” she asks.

    “Next thing on that list, babe.” I kick off my shoes and unbutton my jeans.

    “It’s September.”

    “And? You didn’t specify a season. Plus, the water’s warm from the hot spring. No excuses. We have limited days toplete that list.”

    It’s a reminder that the clock is ticking.

    She tosses off her jacket and removes her shirt. Next, she’s unzipping her jeans and shimmying out of her sexy lingerie until she’s naked.

    I watch, mesmerized, as she takes off running toward the water.

    “Youing?” she asks.

    “Abso-fucking-lutely,” I say, moving our phones and my wallet away from everything, then undressing before following her in.

    The water is perfect, warm, and silky. Julie dives in, thenes up with her hair slicked back. She treads water like a mermaid.

    “Shit, I’m dating Ariel.”

    She hums “Part of Your World” and floats on her back, body glowing under the starlight.

    “The Milky Way will be rising soon,” I say, swimming over to her, pulling her against me. “Another thing marked off your list.”

    “Yes, thank you.” She wraps her arms around my neck, and suddenly, the teasing stops.

    We’re kissing, hands everywhere, the warm water making everything feel dreamlike. She reaches down and grabs me, and I groan against her neck.

    “Jules, if you keep doing that?—”

    “Mmm.” She strokes me again. “Does it feel good?”

    “Fuck. Yes,” I whisper against her mouth.

    I slide one hand between her legs, rubbing against her clit. She moans out, wrapping one arm around me as I hold on to her, treading water like our lives depend on it.

    We’re so lost in each other.

    “There’s that sound I love,” I whisper against her skin. “Gonnae for me, pretty girl?”

    “I’m so close,” she says.

    I feel the build, and then I hear voices.

    “Shit!” Julie freezes. “Someone’sing!”

    “I was hoping it would be youing, but …” I say with a smirk.

    With her orgasm disappearing, we’re on full alert.

    Through the trees, I see several shlights bobbing closer. There are deeper voices, but they’re not adults; it’s a group of teenagers.

    “Our clothes,” Julie whispers as we keep everything but our heads underwater.

    “Hopefully, they won’t notice,” I say. My cock aches for her.

    I speak too soon.

    “Dudes, a fire!”

    “Look at this setup. Someone was gettingaaaid!” another guy says.

    I chuckle, and Julie res at me.

    “Check out this lingerie! Oh, I wonder if they’re worn.” The kid sniffs her panties. He has to be no older than sixteen.

    I try not to chuckle.

    She elbows me in my ribs. “Little perverts.”

    “They’ll leave,” I say.

    But they don’t.

    They sit down at our fire, open the other bottle of champagne, andugh at my boxers.

    “Douchebags wear underwear like this.”

    “Oh my God, is that a bra? Dibs!”

    “I’m going to kick their asses. I swear that one kid looks familiar.”

    “You’re going to fight them naked?” I ask.

    “Yeah, I will. Tits out and all,” she says, growing pissed when they pocket her panties, then throw the rest of our clothes on the fire. “Little bastards! I loved those jeans!”

    They suck down the champagne, toss the bottle, throw sand on the fire, then stumble away,ughing.

    Julie frantically swims to shore. “Please tell me they didn’t get our phones.”

    I check the rocks where I stashed them. “Still here. Thank God.”

    “Small miracles,” she mutters, then looks at our situation and startsughing.

    “What?”

    “The universe has a twisted sense of humor,” she says. “We have to drive back to Zane and Autumn’s, naked.”

    Herughter starts light, and then we both crack up until our voices echo through the trees.

    “Hopefully, they’re asleep,” I say.

    The breeze blows, and goose bumps spread over me.

    “We should go before some other asshole kids stumble upon us like this,” I say, holding my junk as I pick up our mess.

    Once everything is stuffed in the pic basket and cooler, I walk back to the side-by-side, shaking my head.

    Julieughs. “Didn’t realize there was a full moon tonight.”

    “Hush,” I say, grabbing the extra nket and handing it to her so she can at least cover herself. I crank the engine and sit on the leather seat. “Ready?”

    Sheughs, pressing herself against my side. “You make me feel young again.”

    “Same, babe.” I chuckle, and then we take off.

    She hangs on to me as I weave in and out of the trail and back to Zane’s.

    “What an experience,” she screams into the silence, hair blowing in the wind, and all I can do is chuckle. Julie shrieks every time we hit a bump, pressing closer against me.

    When we finally reach the Range Rover, we rush inside, the nket barely covering me.

    “I can’t feel my ass,” I mutter.

    Julie copses on the passenger seat,ughing hysterically. “You think Zane and Autumn saw us?”

    “I hope not. We might have some exining to do.” I run around to the other side of the Rover, then crank the engine.

    “Kinda pissed we got cockblocked by drunk teenagers,” I say.

    “And robbed!” She’s wiping tears from her eyes. “They took my favorite lingerie! Bastards!”

    On the drive back to the cabin, I turn on the heat. She reaches over and grabs my hand. The checkered nket is wrapped around her like a towel, and I capture this memory forever.

    “What?” she asks.

    “Nothing,” I say, grinning. “I want to remember you just like that.”

    When we arrive, I punch in the code and rush inside.

    I grab us robes from the bathroom. “I’m sorry.”

    “Are you kidding?” She moves to the couch, pulling me with her. “Tonight was perfect. I’ll never forget this.”

    She yawns.

    “I should probably take you home. You have to be up early.”

    “Ugh, I know. Can’t bete again.” She’s quiet for a moment. “I really like you, Nick Banks.”

    “I really like you too, Julie Lovnd.”

    I put on some clothes, and she stays in the robe. Then I drive her home. I think about how this disaster of an evening somehow turned into something even better than what I’d nned.

    As I walk her to her door and kiss her good night, I think that maybe that’s what this is with Julie—perfectly imperfect, but it’s ours. And that’s all that matters right now.

    “Nick?” she says as I turn to leave.

    “Yeah?”

    “ire will interrogate me in the morning.”

    “Tell her what you want.”

    Sheughs. “She’s not going to believe me. I take that back. She probably will believe me because the two of us have the oddest luck. The stories I could tell you.”

    “I hope to hear them one day.” I lean forward, sliding my lips against hers, pressing her against the door. “Good night, girlfriend.”

    “You drive me wild,” she whispers.

    Iugh against her neck, then pull away. “It’s mutual. Sweet dreams.”

    I walk backward toward my car, watching her breasts rise and fall.

    “You’re going to make me work for it, aren’t you?”

    “You know it,” I tell her, smirking. “Are we marking skinny-dipping off your list?”

    “Yes, we are,” she says.

    As I drive away, I can’t stop thinking about her. And somehow, it was one of the best nights of my life because it was real. Unscripted. Just like us. And maybe that’s exactly what makes being together so damn perfect.