Ryan

“What was that for?” Aviva asks breathlessly as I pull away.

“I’m not sure. Sorry.” I clear my throat–clear my head, more like it. I’ve been out in the sun all day helping stack stone for a new house being built in the village, and apparently, that hadn’t been enough to wash Aviva’s taste from my mouth, and my body decided it needed more.

We stare at each other for a moment. Her eyes shine like fine whiskey in the sunlight cutting through the shadow all around us. The clouds move swiftly to the south, which is why I had to talk to her.

“Jacob and I are leaving...