Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

My little bunny.

Heat floods my chest, and I turn my head to look up at Maddox.

He’s looking down at me, his gaze soft. His heart, right there between us for me to see.

“Th-this is your brand?” I whisper to him.

Maddox nods.

I have to swallow. “When?”

When did you name this?

When did you buy a winery and name it after me?

He watches me so closely as he answers. “Ten years ago.”

Ten.

The air leaves my lungs.

Ten years ago.

Ten years ago, when I thought Maddox had forgotten all about me.

Ten years ago, when I was hating myself for still thinking about him.

Ten years ago, halfway across the country, Maddox Lovelace invested in a wine company and named it My Little Bunny.

Ten years ago.

I could’ve had this with him ten years ago.

“Maddox.” My voice breaks.

The side of his mouth pulls up, but I can see the worry in his eyes.

He’s worried I don’t like it. Or that I don’t approve.

He’s worried. And I need him to know how foolish that is.

I grab his wrist. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Maddox nods. “Of course.”

I slide my chair back and stand.

Maddox does the same.

“We’ll be right back,” he tells the table.

I notice Waller glance at the wine bottle, and I know he knows.

That fucking wine bottle.

I slide my hand into Maddox’s, and his fingers grip mine.

I’ve never been to this place before, but there’s only one hall— in the far back corner— so I head that way, hoping for a bathroom.