Who else would it be

Ethan woke slowly, the first thing he registered was the warmth of a body pressed against his and the soft weight of dark wavy hair across his chest. For a second he thought he was still dreaming — the same kind of dream that had started all of this — but then he felt the steady rise and fall of Mia’s breathing and the faint vanilla scent of her skin. He opened his eyes and looked down. She was curled against him, one leg draped over his, her bare breasts soft against his side, one arm slung across his stomach. Sunlight was just starting to filter through the curtains of her bedroom, painting everything in soft gold.

She stirred a minute later, making a small sleepy sound before lifting her head. Her brown eyes met his and a slow, shy smile spread across her face.

“Morning,” she whispered, voice still husky from sleep.

“Morning,” Ethan replied, his own voice rough. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, letting his fingers linger. Last night came rushing back in pieces — the couch, her mouth on his cock, the way she’d ridden him with that perfect mix of slow and ****, how she’d looked at him when she came. Then moving to her bed for round two, slower, deeper, both of them taking their time like they were making up for all the years they hadn’t let themselves want this.

Mia shifted closer, pressing a soft kiss to his collarbone. “I was half afraid I’d wake up and last night would’ve been another dream.”

Ethan’s hand slid down her back, resting on the curve of her ass. “It wasn’t. You’re really here.”

She smiled against his skin and kissed him again, this time on the mouth. It started gentle but quickly turned heated, the way everything between them seemed to lately. Her hand drifted lower, wrapping around his already-hardening cock and stroking slowly. Ethan groaned into the kiss, his own hand sliding between her legs to find her already wet. He rubbed slow circles over her clit while she pumped him, both of them breathing harder.

They didn’t rush. Ethan rolled her onto her back and kissed his way down her body — her throat, her breasts, sucking each nipple into his mouth until she was arching and moaning his name. He kept going lower, settling between her thighs and licking her slowly, tasting her, teasing her clit with his tongue while he slid two fingers inside her tight heat. Mia’s hands tangled in his hair, hips rocking against his mouth as she came with a soft cry, thighs trembling around his head.

He moved back up and kissed her deeply, letting her taste herself on his tongue. She reached between them and guided his cock to her entrance, and he pushed in slowly, savoring every inch as her pussy stretched around him. They moved together in long, deep strokes, eyes locked, hands intertwined above her head. It felt different in the daylight — more real, more ****. When she came again he followed right after, burying his face in her neck as he pulsed inside her.

They stayed connected for a long time afterward, breathing together, trading lazy kisses. Eventually Mia rolled onto her side to face him, one hand resting on his chest.

“I don’t want to hide this,” she said quietly. “I know this town talks, and people are going to have opinions, especially with Derek and everything… but I’m done pretending.”

Ethan traced his fingers along her arm. “I don’t want to hide either. But I get it — small town, everyone knowing everyone. My mom’s probably going to ask a million questions when she sees us together. And the shop… people already look at me like I’m supposed to be exactly like my dad.”

Mia nodded, her expression softening. “Your dad would’ve wanted you to be happy, E. Not just do what everyone expects.” She hesitated, then added, “I told my parents last night. After you left. They were… surprised. But they didn’t freak out. My dad even said he always thought there was something between us back when we were kids.”

Ethan felt some of the tightness in his chest ease. “That’s good. Really good.” He paused, then decided to say the thing that had been sitting in the back of his mind since yesterday. “I read more of Dad’s letters last night before I came over. There was one about the river — how he and some of the other guys fought to keep the land public back in the eighties. He wrote that some things are worth standing up for even when it’s hard. I keep thinking about that with this developer situation.”

Mia propped herself up on one elbow, interest flickering in her eyes. “You think we should do something? Like… actually get involved with the festival pushback?”

“Yeah,” Ethan said. “I don’t know what yet. But maybe we could help organize something. Talk to people. Make sure the town actually shows up to that vote.” He gave a small, self-conscious laugh. “I sound like my dad right now.”

Mia smiled and leaned in to kiss him softly. “You sound like someone who cares about this place. That’s not a bad thing.” She paused, then added more quietly, “I’m still scared about art school. About leaving. But I’m also scared of staying and never trying. I don’t want to end up resenting this town… or you.”

Ethan pulled her closer, tucking her head under his chin. “We don’t have to figure it all out today. Or even this summer. But I want to try. With you.”

They stayed in bed a while longer, talking in low voices about everything and nothing — old memories, stupid things their friends had done over the years, what the festival lineup looked like this year. Eventually hunger won out and they got up, threw on some clothes, and made breakfast together in her kitchen. It felt domestic in a way that should have been strange but wasn’t. Mia made coffee while Ethan scrambled eggs, and they kept stealing touches — a kiss against the counter, her hand on his lower back as she passed him, his fingers brushing hers when he handed her a plate.

After they ate they headed to the festival grounds. It was the first full day of River Fest, and the place was already buzzing. Booths were open, music was playing from the stage, kids were running around with cotton candy, and the smell of barbecue and fried dough hung in the warm air. Ethan and Mia walked in together, not touching at first but staying close. It didn’t take long for people to notice.

Tyler spotted them almost immediately near the stage and raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face. “Well, well. Look who finally figured their shit out.” He clapped Ethan on the shoulder and gave Mia a knowing look. “About damn time, you two.”

Mia laughed, cheeks pink but not embarrassed. “Shut up, Tyler.”

Word spread from there. A couple of the older ladies running the bake sale booth gave them knowing smiles. One of Derek’s friends walked past and did a double take but didn’t say anything. Ethan felt the eyes on them — small-town curiosity mixed with genuine surprise — but it didn’t feel as heavy as he’d expected. Mia stayed close the whole time, her hand brushing his or resting lightly on his arm when no one was looking too closely.

They spent the day helping where they were needed — fixing a last-minute sound issue, helping set up extra chairs for the evening concert, even taking a turn at one of the booths when someone needed a break. Between tasks they stole moments alone: behind the stage, down by the river path, once in the back of Ethan’s truck when most people were watching the live music. Each time the kisses got a little longer, the touches a little bolder. At one point Mia pulled him behind a large oak near the water’s edge, dropped to her knees, and sucked him off quickly and quietly while the festival carried on just out of sight. Ethan returned the favor later behind a closed booth, licking her until she came with her hand over her mouth to stay quiet.

By late afternoon they found themselves near the river again, watching the water while the music drifted over from the stage. Mia leaned into his side, and Ethan wrapped an arm around her.

“I’m glad we’re doing this,” she said quietly. “Whatever ‘this’ turns out to be.”

“Me too,” Ethan said. He thought about the developer again, about his dad’s letters, about the way the town felt alive today with everyone together. “I was thinking… maybe we could help with that petition the festival committee is putting together. Get more people to sign it before the vote. Make sure the river stays the way it is.”

Mia looked up at him, a spark in her eyes. “I like that. We could even use some of my art for posters or something. Make it look good.”

They stood there a while longer, the river moving steady beside them, the sounds of the festival wrapping around them like a familiar blanket. Ethan felt something settle in his chest — not an answer to every question, but the beginning of one. He still didn’t know if he’d stay in Willow Bend forever or if Mia would leave for art school. He didn’t know how the town would react once the gossip really got going. But right now, with her beside him and the sun setting over the water, he knew he wanted to find out.

The festival lights were starting to come on as the evening crowd grew. Ethan glanced at Mia and caught her already looking at him, that same warm, charged smile on her face.

“Want to walk the grounds one more time before it gets too crowded?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said, taking her hand. “Let’s go.”

They headed back toward the lights and music, the river at their backs and the rest of the summer stretching out in front of them — uncertain, complicated, and full of possibility.