Love in the Fields

15

The evening was still, a perfect late-summer night, as Camila headed back toward the farmhouse after a long day. The sky was a deep, velvet blue, flecked with the first stars, and a cool breeze whispered through the fields. She was lost in thought when she saw Lauren leaning against the front porch railing, her expression unusually shy and a little nervous, like she was working up to something.

Camila raised an eyebrow, tilting her head with a smirk. "What's got you all quiet?"

Lauren glanced down, taking a deep breath before looking up, her green eyes catching the starlight. "I... actually wanted to talk to you about something." She pushed herself off the railing, her hands slipping into her pockets as she stepped closer. "Well, I guess more like ask you something."

Camila's heart sped up a little. It wasn't like Lauren to look this uncertain. She moved a little closer, brushing a stray piece of hay off her shirt, trying to cover the way her pulse had suddenly picked up. "Okay, I'm all ears."

Lauren looked at her with an intensity that made Camila's breath catch. Her voice was softer than usual, almost a murmur. "Would you like to go on a date with me? Tonight?"

Camila's surprise quickly gave way to excitement, a warmth blooming in her chest as she took in Lauren's hopeful expression. She had been waiting for this, wondering if it would ever happen, and now that it was here, it felt so natural that she didn't hesitate.

"I'd love to," she said, her voice matching Lauren's softness. Her cheeks warmed, but she met Lauren's eyes, feeling the space between them grow electric.

Lauren let out a small, relieved laugh, her smile lighting up her face. "Good, because I already have something planned. But I might need a few minutes to set it all up."

Camila grinned, watching Lauren as she headed back around the house, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and disbelief. She tried to keep calm, but the thought of Lauren planning something special just for them made her chest feel tight in the best way.

When Lauren reappeared, she motioned for Camila to follow her toward the open field behind the farmhouse, where they'd spent so many afternoons together. But this time, instead of carrying tools or feed, Lauren held a large picnic blanket under one arm and a small basket in the other. She led Camila toward a quiet, secluded spot between two old oaks, where the stars were visible in all their glory above.

The setup was simple but heartfelt: a blanket spread on the soft grass, a few flickering lanterns placed around them casting a gentle glow, and the basket of snacks and drinks resting in the centre.

"Ta-da," Lauren said with a soft, almost bashful smile as she gestured to the scene. "Not too fancy, but I thought it might be nice."

Camila felt her heart melt at the sight. "It's perfect, Lauren. Really."

They settled onto the blanket, leaning back against the gentle slope of the hill and taking in the stars above. It was quiet except for the occasional whisper of the breeze and the distant chirp of crickets. They shared the snacks Lauren had packed—a mix of homemade cookies, fresh fruit, and lemonade from Pam's kitchen. Their conversation started lightly, dipping into funny stories and shared memories. But eventually, it drifted into quieter, more personal topics, their voices growing softer as the sky deepened to a richer shade of indigo.

Lauren tilted her head to look at Camila, her gaze lingering a bit longer than usual. "Do you ever think about the future, what you want?" she asked, her tone serious but curious.

Camila hesitated, taking a breath before she spoke. "I do. But it's... it's changed since I came here. I didn't know this kind of life was possible for me until now. I always thought I'd just follow a straight path and make everyone else happy. But here... I think I'm finally starting to figure out what makes me happy."

Their eyes met, and Lauren's gaze softened. "I'm glad you're here, Camila. I know I don't say it enough, but... you've changed things for me too."

They sat in silence for a moment, and Camila felt her chest tighten at Lauren's words. There was a weight between them, an anticipation that had been growing since they first met, and it was like they were both waiting for a signal to take the next step.

As if reading her mind, Lauren reached out, her fingers brushing over Camila's hand, lingering there in a way that sent a thrill down her spine. "I feel like I've been wanting to do this for a long time," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Camila's breath caught, her gaze flicking from Lauren's eyes to her lips, her heart racing. "Then why don't you?"

Lauren's expression softened, and without breaking eye contact, she leaned in, her hand gently resting on the side of Camila's face. Camila felt the world around them melt away as their lips met, soft and tentative at first, as if they were both testing the waters. But as the seconds passed, the kiss deepened, filling with the warmth and longing that had been simmering between them for so long.

Lauren's other hand found its way to Camila's waist, pulling her a little closer, and Camila's fingers threaded into Lauren's hair as their kisses grew more fervent. Each kiss was like a release, carrying all the emotions they hadn't spoken, every glance and touch they'd shared building up to this moment. The feeling of Lauren's lips on hers was intoxicating, and Camila's heart pounded as they sank deeper into the kiss, their breaths mingling, the world fading away.

They lost track of time, each kiss more passionate than the last, as if they were trying to make up for every missed moment. Camila's hands traced over Lauren's shoulders, feeling the warmth of her beneath her touch, and she felt herself being drawn closer still, until there was no space left between them. The connection felt electric, like every touch, every whisper of breath was igniting something deep within her.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other's as they tried to steady themselves. Camila let out a soft laugh, her heart still racing. "Wow... That was..."

"Yeah," Lauren whispered, a soft, breathless smile on her face. Her thumb brushed gently along Camila's jawline, her gaze warm and full of unspoken promises. "That was... everything."

They sat there for a while longer, still wrapped in each other's arms, watching the stars above and sharing soft, gentle kisses that felt like the beginning of something beautiful and lasting. For the first time, Camila felt completely at home, and as they held each other under the starlit sky, she knew that this was exactly where she wanted to be.