An Unexpected Love Story (Love Story Book Two) by Rachel Schurig

sent you.”
    “If he hurts me, I’m holding you personally responsible.”
    I laughed again as I slipped out of the room, feeling content—and entirely determined not to think about Monday again for the rest of the night.
    * * *
    I spent most of Sunday holed up in the suite with John. The end of the convention had gone off without a hitch. The gamers were clearly happy with their stay—many of them had even stopped me to tell me they hoped they would hold the next convention at the inn as well. As soon as they were checked out and we got the place cleaned up, I sent the entire staff home for the day. They’d all put in extra hours over the weekend to make the event a success, and I was grateful for their hard work. My dad agreed to hang out until the restaurant staff showed up for dinner on the off chance someone came by. I was free.
    John and I stocked the mini-fridge with beer and sandwiches, determined not to leave the suite for the rest of the day. I unearthed a plate of brownies that had somehow managed to avoid consumption, and we were set. We spent most of the day lounging and talking about our respective careers, with a few conversation breaks in order to participate in advanced make-out sessions.
    By seven, we realized that you could, in fact, over-load on vegging out, so we got dressed and set out in search of a meal. Unfortunately, being a Sunday night in a small town, we couldn’t find much that was open. We eventually settled for slices of pizza, which we took down to the harbor park to eat as we watched the rapidly setting sun.
    “This must be gorgeous in the summer,” John said, looking out over Thunder Bay, stretching out to Lake Huron in the distance.
    “It is,” I agreed. “Lots of boats, lots of people walking around. Have you ever been swimming in Lake Huron?”
    John shook his head. “Just Lake Michigan.”
    I sniffed dismissively. “Our lake is much clearer. And it’s on the better side of the state.”
    “Oh, is it a contest?” he asked, looking over at me.
    “You’re damn right it is,” I said, taking a bite of pizza. Once I’d finished chewing, I continued, “I’m a sunrise-side girl, John. You better make clear your allegiance.”
    “I don’t know,” he said, grinning. “I’m kinda partial to Lake Michigan. Would we call that the sunset side?”
    I pretended to gag. “Sunrise side rules.”
    John laughed. “I’ll take your word for it.”
    We walked back to the inn under the darkening sky. John held my hand the entire way. If I didn’t think about it too much, I could almost pretend that this could continue on forever. The thought of the next day, and his departure, was weighing heavily on me.
    By the time the moon was making its appearance over the bay, we were wrapped up in each other in John’s bed once more. I was amazed at how comfortable I felt with him already; the way I seemed to know his body and what he was feeling. It felt as if I had known him much longer than a weekend. Surely we’d had more nights together than only three?
    Unbidden, an image came to my mind of the two of us on the same path by the water we had walked that evening, only now it was summer. I could picture it so clearly, John and me together. It scared me how much I wanted it to be real. Had I fallen for this man? How could I, when I barely knew him?
    “What are you thinking about?” John asked, his voice breaking the silence that had descended over the bed. “You haven’t fallen asleep on me, have you?”
    “No, I’m awake,” I said, my voice soft. I wanted to tell him how I was feeling, wondered if he could possibly be feeling the same way. But I was scared. I didn’t do the emotional talk-about-your-feelings thing with guys.
    “Brooke, are you okay?” John asked, kissing the back of my neck. I sighed in contentment. Even the smallest kiss from him could send me reeling.
    Turning toward him, I took a deep breath, nervous to say the words that were struggling to get out.