Hunter and Annalise sat on a linen blanket in the middle of the meadow, surrounded by wildflowers that swayed lazily in the breeze. The sun was just warm enough to make the moment feel golden, but not too hot to be uncomfortable. A lazy bumblebee buzzed past, and Annalise wrinkled her nose as she waved it away.
"I think it likes you," Hunter teased, popping a grape into his mouth.
"Well, I’m flattered", but I’m already spoken for,” she said with a playful smirk.
Hunter’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he leaned back on his elbows, watching her tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The light caught in her curls, making them look like spun gold. He swore she was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen.
"I was actually talking about me," he said, grinning. "Oh?" Annalise arched a brow, reaching for a strawberry. "You have a thing for pollen and fuzzy little legs?" Hunter laughed, shaking his head. "No, I meant—I think I like you."
Annalise froze, the strawberry halfway to her lips. Then, with a slow, mischievous smile, she took a bite. "Took you long enough to figure that out."
He blinked. "Wait… you knew?"
"Hunter, you’ve been looking at me like I hung the moon for the past three weeks." She licked strawberry juice from her thumb, pretending not to notice the way his gaze flickered to her lips. "I was just waiting for you to catch up."
Hunter let out a dramatic sigh and flopped onto his back. "Unbelievable. Here I thought I was being subtle." She laughed, nudging his side with her foot. "Not even a little."
The breeze carried the scent of wildflowers and the distant sound of birdsong. Hunter turned his head to look at her, eyes soft. "So, now that I’ve officially caught up… what happens next?"
Annalise set the strawberry down and leaned over him, her curls tickling his forehead. "I guess," she murmured, her voice warm, "you’ll just have to wait and see."
And just like that, with the sun shining and the flowers nodding around them, falling in love felt as easy as breathing.
