I woke in the early hours of the morning, before the sun had risen. I stretched, smiling as I thought about the day before. I was happier than I ever remembered being, all thanks to Jack.

I knocked on the door connecting our rooms. "Jack? Are you awake?"

I opened the door slowly and quietly. Jack lay sprawled out on the bed on top of the covers. I crawled onto the bed beside him. He didn't wake, but he rolled onto his side, wrapping his arms around me. I leaned my cheek against his chest, feeling the beating of his heart beneath his shirt.

Part of me regretted not staying in his room with him when he offered. I was so comfortable lying beside him, but we had set our boundaries. It was best for us to avoid situations where we might be tempted to push or cross those boundaries. Spending the entire night in the same bed would definitely be pushing our boundaries. Actually, spending any amount of time in the same bed was probably pushing it…

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice he had woken up until he kissed my cheek. "Mm, I thought I was imagining things when I felt you beside me."

"Nope. I'm really here." I tilted my head up to meet his lips with mine. "I woke up a little while ago and couldn't fall back to sleep, so I came in here."

"I'm glad I left that door unlocked. This was a nice way to wake up."

My cheeks grew warm as I thought about the possibility of waking up beside him every day. "Don't get used to this, buddy." I smirked. "Remember we have boundaries."

He tightened his arms around me and closed his eyes, clearly still tired.

"Hey, Jack?" I touched his cheek.

"Hmm?" He kept his eyes closed.

"Do you have anything planned for us today?"

"No. Yesterday was a long day, so Lee and I figured we'd probably all want to sleep in today." He buried his face in my hair. "I, for one, would like to stay right here for a while."

"That sounds good to me."

...

In the days after our weekend together, Jack and I had opposite schedules. He left for work shortly before I got home in the afternoon and didn't return for the night until long after I was asleep. I left for school in the mornings before he woke up. Our interactions were limited to short phone conversations whenever he got a break.

Even though we talked every day, I missed him. I couldn't believe that we had made it through an entire week without any contact when we were broken up.

His shift finally switched on Friday, and we were able to meet up for an early breakfast at the café.

"Do you want to come over tonight?" Jack reached across the table and took my hand.

"Actually, I don't think that's a good idea."

He looked at me, confusion in his eyes. "Why? Do you have other plans?"

"It's just that the Blues are playing the Canucks tonight. I think things might get a little too heated if we watch that game together."

"What if I promise not to cheer too loudly when the Canucks win?"

"Well that won't be a problem, because the Canucks are not going to win." I smirked.

"Want to make a bet? If the Canucks win, you have to make dinner tomorrow night. If the Blues win, I'll cook."

"You're on." We shook on it. "You better get your apron ready, Mr. Thornton."

"Does this mean you'll come over tonight?"

"Seven o'clock?"

"I'll see you then."

I squeezed his hand. "See you then. I need to get to work. Bye, Jack."

...

"Are you ready to watch your guys lose?" Jack kissed my cheek as I stepped into his house that evening.

"Nope. But I'm ready to watch your guys lose."

He gasped. "How dare you talk about my Canucks like that!"

I smirked and settled into the couch. Rip wandered over and nudged my hand. "Hey, boy. I'm surprised to see you awake."

"That makes two of us." Jack handed me a glass of water and sat beside me.

I tucked my feet underneath me and leaned into him. It had only been a few months since we first met, but I was already so comfortable with him, more comfortable than I had ever been with any person before. I couldn't help but think of how nice it would be to spend every evening curled up on the couch with him, just talking and enjoying each other's presence.

"What are you thinking about?" He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Nothing, really. Just how much I like spending time with you."

"Even when your guys are losing?"

I pointed at the TV. "Apparently you haven't been paying attention because you are sadly mistaken." The Blues were already winning by two in the first period.

"I have been paying attention." He touched my cheek. "Just not to the game." He kissed my hair and put his arms around me.

"Jack Thornton." My face grew hot.

"Why, Elizabeth Thatcher, you're blushing."

I rolled my eyes. "I know. I blush at everything."

"I think it's cute."

"Yeah yeah." I rested my head on his shoulder. His hand rubbed circles on my back, and I felt my eyes grow heavy.

"Hey." Jack nudged me awake.

I blinked sleepily. "Jack? Why are you here?"

He chuckled quietly. "This is my house. You fell asleep."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

He rubbed my arm. "You looked so peaceful. I would've let you keep sleeping, but there are only two minutes left in the third period. I figured since you came over to watch the game, you should at least see the end of it."

I looked up at the TV. The Blues were winning three to one. "You woke me up knowing that my guys were going to win and I was going to rub it in your face? That's so sweet." I smiled playfully, crinkling my nose.

"This just means I get to impress you with my cooking skills," he joked as the game ended, and the Blues were officially announced as the winner.

"I look forward to it." I pulled myself from his arms. "I should probably get home before I fall asleep on your couch again."

"I wouldn't mind if you fell asleep on my couch again." He raised his eyebrows and smiled, but I knew he wasn't trying to push anything. But as much as I liked the idea of waking up in his house, I knew it wouldn't be right.

"Jack Thornton! What would Rosie think? I don't think either of us is prepared for the line of questioning that we'd face if she found out I stayed the night." I stood up. "Besides, I need to let Bronte out before bed."

"Okay." He reached out and took my hand. "At least let me walk you home."

We stood on his porch. "Jack, I live fifty feet away."

"Fine." He pulled me into a hug. "But you can't stop me from staying right here until I see you get safely inside." He kissed my hair.

"Good night, Jack. See you tomorrow?"

He nodded. "Good night, Elizabeth. I love you." He leaned in and kissed me softly.

When I reached my porch, I turned back toward his house. He still stood outside his front door. I waved before I unlocked my front door and went inside for the night.

...

I let myself into Jack's house and found him in the kitchen. I laughed. "I was joking about the apron, Jack."

He stood at the stove, dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt—and a frilly apron. A smile spread across his face. "What? You don't like it?"

I reached out and touched the dimple on his cheek, smiling back at him. "Where did you even get it?"

He shrugged. "I can't give away all my secrets."

"You borrowed it from Rosemary, didn't you?"

He winked and turned his attention back to the stove. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

I sat down at the breakfast bar. "It smells delicious."

He was quiet as he finished preparing our meal. I couldn't help but think about how adorable he looked, so focused and serious, but still wearing the frilly apron.

"Oh, I brought dessert." I stood and motioned toward the pan that I had placed on the countertop.

"Elizabeth, I promised I would cook tonight."

I shrugged. "Our bet was just for dinner. We never specified who was in charge of dessert. Plus, it's gooey butter cake, and we both know you can't turn that down."

"Well, if that's the case," he left the stove and stood in front of me, "I guess I can't be too upset." He put his hands on my arms and pulled me in with a kiss.

"Mm, Jack?"

"Hmm?" He brushed his lips against my cheek before finding my lips again.

"The food," I mumbled.

"What?" His arms wrapped around my waist.

"The food is going to burn."

"Oh gosh." He moved back to the stove, pulling the pan from the burner. He glanced over at me. "We will get back to that later."

He winked, and I felt my face get hot.

A few minutes later, Jack brought two plates of chicken and vegetables to the table.

"Mm, this looks amazing, Jack."

He pulled out a chair for me. "I told you I was going to impress you with my cooking skills," he joked.

"Well, color me impressed."

"You haven't even tasted it yet."

I took a small bite. "Okay, I'm still impressed. This is delicious."

He gave me a wide smile. "I'm glad you like it."

...

After dinner, we sat on the couch, watching a movie. Our empty dessert plates and wine glasses sat on the coffee table.

"Jack, thank you for the past couple of weeks. Thank you for showing me that we're worth it."

He smiled and intertwined his fingers in mine. "I would do anything for you, Elizabeth. I can't imagine my life without you in it."

I squeezed his hand. "I love you."

He leaned in and kissed me gently, moving his hand to my face. "I love you, too." He brushed his thumb along my cheek before meeting my lips again, a little less gently.

"Mm, Jack?"

His hands were on my waist, his lips on my neck.

"Jack, we need to stop."

He let out a breath and pulled away from me. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I didn't mean to push things."

"It's not just you. I was pushing things, too. We just need to be more careful."

He nodded in agreement.

"I should probably get home." I stood and moved toward the door. "See you tomorrow?"

He kissed my cheek. "I'll come over after work. Say hi to everyone for me."

"Okay. Good night."

He stayed on his porch until he saw me enter my house. As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but hope that, someday soon, I would be lying beside him.

...

Abigail sat beside me in the pew, with Cody and Becky sitting on the other side of her. "No Jack this morning?"

"He's working an early shift today."

"How was your weekend away with him?"

The corners of my mouth raised. "It was so fun. Jack and Lee did a wonderful job planning it."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. You know, I thought Jack might've taken the opportunity to ask you something…" She smiled mischievously.

"You mean like a proposal?" My eyes grew wide. "No, no. We need a little more time before we take that step, especially with everything that happened between us last month."

"But you think you're headed in that direction?"

I nodded, smiling timidly. "Yeah, I think we are. You know, part of the reason I decided I needed a break was because I felt like we were moving too quickly."

"And now?"

"Now I find myself hoping he doesn't wait too long to ask. Like I said, I do think we need to take a little time, but I can honestly say that my answer will be yes, regardless of how long it takes him to ask."

"I'm so happy for you, Elizabeth. I think you've been really good for each other."

Before I could respond, the pastor stepped to the front of the church to begin the service.

After church, we all met up at the café, just like we always did. Although I missed having Jack there with me, it was nice to catch up with everyone. Between my week away and all the time I had been spending with Jack, I had seen very little of my friends.

I felt like I had missed so much in just a few weeks. We all ended up talking for a few hours, losing track of the time. I almost forgot that I had plans with Jack later that afternoon.

Almost.