When Stars Align

Chapter 23

"Shit, that's hot!" I curse as I drop the baking sheet onto the counter.

I walk to the sink to run my burnt finger under some cold water. I glance out the window and I feel my heart flutter as I take in the sight.

Jamie has finished all of her farm chores and is now sitting down in the snow playing with one of her chickens that must have escaped its barn.

I could already feel how pure Jamie's heart is, but when I get to witness these small moments, it just amplifies that feeling. She is so soft and kind. I've never known anyone like her.

I indulge on this view for a few moments longer, before remembering that I was in the middle of making breakfast before I got distracted by my girlfriend.

I've been staying at Jamie's most nights lately, trying to soak up all of the time I can get with her before I leave next week. Even days like this, when Jamie is really busy getting the farm ready for the quickly approaching spring. Sure she's busy, but making her breakfast after a tiring morning of chores? I love being able to do that for her.

I quickly move the muffins onto a cooling rack then finish cleaning up my mess. I step in front of the sink to start doing the dishes when I hear the front door open and close.

"Mmm," I hear Jamie hum from afar, "it smells delicious in here, darling"

I bite my lip and try to contain my borderline embarrassing excitement when I hear her footsteps make their way over towards me.

I stay facing the sink when I feel her strong arms wrap around my waist, squeezing me into an incredible hug. I feel her lips lightly kiss the back of my neck and i subconsciously press back into her.

I quickly turn around with her arms still around me and I wrap my own around her neck, pulling her down for a quick kiss.

"They're poppyseed muffins, I remembered you saying you liked them, soo..." I trail off, feeling slightly nervous that I was going through her kitchen and using her ingredients without asking if it was okay first.

"You spoil me, Haley. I really love having you here." Jamie says with wonder in her eyes.

I feel my nerves quickly fade at her words. She likes that I did this. She likes when I can take care of her like this. I feel my body warm all over from these thoughts. I want to be able to do this forever, it's going to be so hard to be away for so long.

"You deserve everything." I whisper, hugging her tightly, pressing my head to her chest.

She grips me tighter and I feel her take a deep breath and let it out with a happy sigh.

"Go shower," I say into her chest "the muffins will be cool by the time you're done, then we can have breakfast together."

She kisses the top of my head before stepping away from me to walk towards the bathroom, and I immediately miss her warmth.

Yeah, it's going to be so hard to leave here.

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Hours later, I find myself putting the final touches on my look for meeting everyone at the saloon.

It's been hard keeping this secret from everyone. Luckily, it's been too cold to hang out super often, so I haven't had to really hide it much, but it still sucks.

The only people who currently know about me leaving is just Emily and Jamie. It does feel nice to have this big moment just be between us, but I have been dying to let everyone know.