Chapter 131: Time to Meet the Friends

"Are you sure you want to meet my friends?" Graham runs his fingers through his dark hair smoothing it back.

I nod like a fool caught up in his spell. I've never met a man who can make such a simple action so overwhelmingly intimate.

"Yup." As if I'd say anything else.

He gives me one last look, waiting for me to change my mind, and when I don't, we walk through the big doors of the bed-and-breakfast out into the cold afternoon. Before we cross over the covered patio, he takes my hand into his. Our arms swing together back and forth as we walk.

Normally, I want to stay inside and avoid the cold as much as possible, even on a rare afternoon off, but the last few days I've ventured out to spend time with Graham. You would think your body would get used to the sudden drop in temperature, your skin hardened against the bite of the cold wind. But it doesn't. The air is as frigid for me today as it was yesterday. Possibly even colder. My skin still hurts and with each breath it feels