Okay. Let’s recap this past week, shall we?” Morgan spoke to herself out loud as she paced the hardwood floor of her rental cabin. She hadn’t planned on going anywhere that day, which was a good thing, because quite frankly, her head was spinning with all of the feelings she’d been having. She’d found Shawn attractive when she’d been in Tahoe a couple of months ago even though she had a girlfriend at the time. However, getting to know Shawn, Morgan realized the attraction went beyond Shawn’s rugged good looks. As the days passed and they hung out more, Morgan felt herself slipping away from being lonely. There seemed to be a powerful chemistry between them, one that she’d been trying to hold at bay. When Morgan was with Shawn, she never thought about Jess. It was almost as if she’d been completely voided from her mind.
Morgan was losing the fight. She’d opened up to Shawn about Jess, a little about her family, and last night, she talked about Gemma. She found Shawn extremely easy to talk to, and she also had this need to touch her, no matter how innocent or not. Shawn was sharing her town and all of the things she loved about it with Morgan, like Shawn wanted her to see all the best parts. In turn, Morgan wanted Shawn to see the very best in her. She wasn’t a mountain girl, but the Sierras were already calling to her. She could see the allure of living there, and the thought may have crossed her mind one or five times.
And Morgan kissed Shawn. She couldn’t help herself. She was powerless to the powerful kiss. It wasn’t long. Hell, there wasn’t even tongue involved, but Morgan felt the intensity all the way to her toes. It felt like a fire burned hot and bright in her the moment her lips touched Shawn’s, but Morgan pulled away. She had to. She had no explanation for Shawn as to why she’d kissed her even though Shawn didn’t ask. On the drive home, Shawn didn’t even bring it up, instead asking more about Gemma. Maybe it was because Morgan shot her down that night she got snowed in at Shawn’s. Shawn had moved in to kiss Morgan, and she stopped her, saying she just wanted to be friends. Shawn had abided by Morgan’s wishes, but now Morgan seemed to be changing her mind.
“Here’s the thing though,” Morgan continued wearing a path in the floor with her back-and-forth movements. She often did this when she was practicing a presentation, pacing and speaking out loud in an empty room with no audience. “Shawn is someone I feel totally comfortable talking to about this. I just have to work it all out in my head so I have my thoughts organized.”
Maybe, just maybe, Shawn would be up for testing the waters with her. Maybe they could try dating, even though it was long-distance, it was only a two-hour drive. They could see each other every other weekend, taking turns going up and down the mountain. Shawn was fairly busy with the diner, but she was the boss, so she could probably manage to take a weekend off here and there. She would talk to Shawn about it tomorrow. If Shawn agreed, they could take things slow, enjoy Morgan’s last week there, and make a plan to see each other again.
Morgan nodded her head, agreeing with everything she planned out because Morgan was a planner. She needed that to feel centered and organized. She took a deep breath in as she closed her eyes, counted to five, then let the breath out slowly. She was almost back to feeling her normal self.
“Good talk, Morgan.”
* * *
Shawn had endured a restless sleep, replaying the conversation she’d had with Morgan, watching the sunset with her sitting by Shawn’s side, feeling the softness of Morgan’s lips as they met hers. That one little kiss had Shawn so worked up, she thought talking more about Gemma on the way home would douse her arousal. It had somewhat, but by the time she’d gotten into bed, she’d replayed that kiss at least a hundred times in her head, and her arousal spiked back up. She’d tried to take care of herself, but it was a futile effort because she’d wanted Morgan’s hands and mouth to make her come. Shawn wasn’t sure that would ever happen though. She wanted to kiss Morgan, touch her, make love to her. But she wanted more. She wanted Morgan to be her girlfriend, maybe have a life together, which was crazy since they’d only known each other for a week. Thinking about all of that had Shawn tossing and turning all night.
Shawn thankfully had been busy at work, which kept her from collapsing from exhaustion. That and the five cups of coffee she’d drank during what felt like a forty-five-hour shift. She’d been burning the candle at both ends the past four days or so, keeping Morgan company and doing things with her. Prior to Morgan coming into town, Shawn typically was active after work but quieted down by six thirty or seven p.m. and in bed by eight thirty since she woke up at an ungodly hour. Even though she’d been lacking her normal sleep routine, the time she’d spent with Morgan, she wouldn’t trade for the world. Even if nothing romantic happened between them, they’d still be friends, and Morgan would still be in her life. But damn it, she wanted more.
After work, Shawn had gone to the grocery store where she ran into Paige. They were both in the produce section, and while Paige was checking out eggplant, which made Shawn shudder, she considered turning in the other direction. Had it only been three or four days since breaking up with her? Spending time with Morgan had both sped up and slowed down time. She only had another week before Morgan would be heading home, and the very thought of it wanted to make Shawn cry. And she wasn’t a crier.
She’d made up her mind to turn in the other direction when Paige looked up and saw her. Shit.
“Shawn! Hey.” Paige waved in Shawn’s direction, so Shawn pushed her cart toward her.
“Hi, Paige. How are you?”
“You mean since you broke up with me?”
Shawn winced. The tone in Paige’s voice indicated she wasn’t kidding around with Shawn, and that she was hurt. She didn’t think she’d broken up with Paige badly, as if there was a good way to break up with someone, but she didn’t think she’d been an asshole about it.
“I’m sorry, Paige. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Paige waved her hand as if she were shooing a pesky bug away. “Please, I’m fine. We’re still friends, right?”
“I’d like to be.” That was the truth. This town was way too small to not be friends with an ex. It was a guaranteed way to continue running into them time and again.
“In that case, how about you come over for dinner tomorrow night? I’m making eggplant parmigiana.”
Shawn loved Italian food, however the mere mention of eggplant made her want to puke. She loved most vegetables, but eggplant and Brussels sprouts never made the list. “Sorry, I can’t. I have plans tomorrow night.” She was hoping after spending the day together with Morgan that she’d allow Shawn to take her for dinner.
“Oh, do you have a new girlfriend already?” The smile that Paige had on her face didn’t reach her eyes, and Shawn heard the hostility in her words. This was more of what she’d been expecting the night they broke up
“No, I’m just spending the day with a friend that’s leaving town in a week.” That was the absolute truth. Morgan was her friend, although Shawn wanted more, and she was leaving in a week. Shawn also wanted longer. Paige looked like she was about to breathe fire. “Look, I have to finish shopping so I can get home to Jameson. I’ll see you around.”
Shawn didn’t give Paige a chance to say anything more as she turned her cart around and headed to the opposite side of the store. Paige’s cart had looked full enough that Shawn had hoped she was nearly finished with her shopping, and Shawn wouldn’t have to see her again. At least not that day.
She’d managed to get her groceries and get out of the store without seeing Paige again. She wondered if she and Paige actually could be friends, yet after their exchange earlier, Shawn wasn’t so sure. Paige had seemed more than a little bitter when Shawn mentioned Morgan. To assume Shawn had a new girlfriend already was an insult to Shawn, although truthfully, Shawn’s attraction to Morgan was quickly getting to be off the charts. It was getting increasingly difficult to keep her feelings in check. There weren’t many times throughout the day now that Morgan hadn’t crossed her mind, and she was now regretting telling Morgan she wouldn’t be able to see her today. Shawn would just have to find something to keep her occupied.
Once she got home and put away her groceries, she took Jameson out back. Her house was on a half-acre of land, but she’d had a fence put up in the backyard so Jameson could go in and out of the doggie door during the day. The fence wouldn’t stop a bear from getting in the back, but at least Jameson could scare it away. With days like today, when she’d get home too late to take Jameson out for proper exercise, she’d throw a ball for him to fetch until he tired out.
After about thirty minutes of fetch, Shawn brought her exhausted dog inside, and she started on dinner. It was pitch-dark, and when she looked out her kitchen window, she could see a light in the distance through the trees. That was where Morgan was. What was she doing? Was she cooking dinner as well? Reading a book? Talking on the phone? She was so close, yet Shawn stayed home. She’d thought about inviting Morgan to dinner. How pathetic was she? Shawn didn’t even know Morgan a week ago, and now she couldn’t go a day without seeing her? Come on, Shawn. Stop being ridiculous. She’d see her tomorrow and they’d spend the whole day together. She decided to send off a reminder text to Morgan after she’d put dinner in the oven and fed her dog.
Hey, you. Just making sure we’re still on for tomorrow.
Absolutely! But why so early? Morgan sent a crying emoji and a sleeping emoji.
It’s a surprise, but if you really want to sleep in, we can skip it.
No, I’m just being a baby. I’m excited for our adventure.
You’ll love it!
Promise? Winky emoji.
Shawn felt the thud in her chest that seemed to arrive anytime Morgan said anything flirty or suggestive. Shawn could play that game too.
With all my heart. Winky kiss emoji.
Shawn saw the dots indicating that Morgan was texting then they’d disappear. When the next message came through, Shawn smiled.
I’ll hold you to that. Good night, Shawn.
Sweet dreams, Morgan.
Shawn placed her phone on the coffee table when she sat on the couch with a freshly opened bottle of beer. She was so excited to play tourism director for Morgan tomorrow. There were so many things Shawn loved about Tahoe, and she was so happy to show them to Morgan. Thankfully, she was already exhausted, and hopefully, she wouldn’t have trouble falling asleep tonight. As long as she didn’t think about kissing Morgan.