I’m quickly becoming addicted to Ty’s hugs.

“I’m happy to see you,” he murmurs against my hair.

“Thank you for the ridiculously gorgeous flowers.” I grin as I pull away. “And for this.” I gesture to the table.

He smiles shyly. “Who knows how many more pretty days we’ll have?” he asks, mirroring my thoughts from just a few moments ago. “Might as well take advantage of it. I hope you’re hungry.”

“I’m always hungry.” I laugh and sit on the bench next to him.

“Well, I didn’t have time to throw something together, but I brought Mexican.”

“How did you know that I have an addiction to guacamole?” I ask with wide eyes, teasing him.

“How do you know I have guacamole?” He raises a brow as he unloads the bag.

“Mexican without guacamole is just . . . wrong.”

He laughs as he sets aside the bag and begins to pull the tops off the styrofoam containers. “You’re in luck. We have the guac, along with carne asada, pico de gallo, and all the trimmings.”

“Where’s yours?” I dig in with gusto, not at all shy about eating in front of him.

“You’re funny.” He laughs and joins me, piling his plate with delicious food. “How was your day?”

“I had a good day. I filed the order of protection.” I shrug and bite into a chip with dip and sigh in pleasure. “So good.”

“Here.” He touches his index finger to the corner of my mouth, coming away with a dab of guacamole. With my eyes on his, I grip his wrist in my hand and pull his finger into my mouth, licking it clean.

His eyes darken and narrow. “Lauren,” he whispers.

“Yeah?”

“Eat your dinner.” He turns away and digs into his plate and I grin at him. “You should have called me. I would have gone to the courthouse with you.”

“It was easy.” I wave him off and shake my head. “The hard part will be when Jack is served. That won’t go over well.”

“It doesn’t matter what his reaction is, Lo. I’m relieved that you filed. I still would have liked to be there with you.”

“I’m fine. How was your day?” Ty holds a forkful of Spanish rice to my mouth. “Mm . . . good.”

“It was pretty good. I left at around one.” He takes a bite of his steak. “Oh! Here.” He pulls a thermos from under the table and fills two red Solo cups. “We can’t have Mexican without margaritas.”

“I didn’t realize they let you take liquor to go,” I reply dryly.

“They don’t, smart-ass.”

“Why, counselor, I do believe you’re breaking the law. There is an open-container law in Montana, you know.” I bump his shoulder with mine and then take a sip of the sweet drink.

“It’s our secret. I won’t tell if you don’t.”

“Deal.” He feeds me another bite of rice. “So your day was good?”

“Busy,” he confirms. “But good. I’m glad it’s the weekend.”

“I wish I had weekends.” I frown down at my food.

“You have to take days off now and again.”

“I do, but the story is always in my head. And lately, I don’t have time to take days off. Not whole days, anyway.” I shrug and stuff more delicious guacamole in my mouth. “I’m not complaining though. It’s a fun job.”

He holds another bite up for me but I shake my head and wipe my mouth with a napkin. “I’m full. That was great, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” We pack up the leftovers and empty containers.

“Let’s go sit on the bridge for a little while,” I suggest.

“Sounds good.” He nods and rises from the table, holding his hand out for me to join him, and we stroll slowly down the path to the bridge.

“I love this place.” I take a deep breath, enjoying the musty smell of the leaves. “I used to come down here almost every day after school in the fall and the spring to do homework or read or just think.”

“What did you think about?”

We approach the top of the bridge and lean against the railing, taking in the tall mountains ahead that are sprinkled with yellow and red trees. A breeze has picked up, making the limbs above sing.

“Oh, normal teenage-girl stuff, most likely.” I turn my back to the rail and lean on my elbows, watching Ty as he leans his hands on the rail next to me. “You know, boys, clothes, school. Swimming.”

“Do you still swim?”

“Every day.”

“Really?” His brows rise and he reaches up to tuck my hair behind my ear. “That must be how you stay in such great shape.”

“It is.” I nod. “I’ll never stop swimming. My parents built the pool house when I was a freshman in high school and took an interest in it.”

Ty slides closer to me. His hand glides over my stomach and around my waist, holding my side against his stomach, and he lowers his mouth to my temple. “Thank you for bringing me to this spot.”

I turn to smile at him, and my breath catches. His lips are mere inches from mine. I can feel the heat of his skin, and I know without a doubt that I want him.

I trust him.

I need him in my bed.

I turn into him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. His nose brushes against mine. I take a deep breath and whisper, “Ty?”