“Oh, I work for EdTechU. I had to set up for the presentation tonight.”
“I see… Well, I don’t know how I missed that tidbit of information, but Kayla’s outside in the courtyard.” She winks, turns on her heel, and disappears around the corner.
The glass doors to the courtyard are flanked by long tinted windows that dim the hazy morning sunlight, and I quickly strollacross the room. I walk out onto an open patio with a wide cobblestone walkway that leads down to a double flight of stairs. The courtyard at the bottom is enclosed inside tall magenta-flowered hedges, save for a wide arched opening where the stairs end.
In the middle of the courtyard, sitting on the ledge of a three-tiered water fountain, is Kayla. With her eyes closed, she tips her head back, a small smile scrolling across her lips as she basks in the hazy sun rays. The light around her casts that memory inducing glow, making me hesitate as I remember the times I’ve seen her like this before.
“Making a wish?” I ask, closing the distance from the archway to her. She starts, opening her eyes and looking over her shoulder. A smile spreads across her face as she stands from the bubbling fountain. I would give anything to feel that smile on my lips right now.
“Why would I do that?” Her head tips to the side as I wrap my arms around her waist. “All of my wishes have already come true,” she teases, a nod to my cheesy line from our date at Crystal Beach. She weaves her fingers into the back of my hair, kissing me with lips that have gotten impossibly softer. If I never spend another week away from her, it will be too soon.
“I missed you, baby,” I say, nuzzling her nose once we take our fill of each other.
“I missed you too.” She smiles, pecking my lips one more time before adding, “And you’re early…”
“Maybe I couldn’t wait to see you. You think of that?”
Her eyes flash briefly as she pulls back to check her phone. “I got sidetracked out here. Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be ready to go.” She takes my hand, and we make our way back up the stairs and into the dining area. When we get to the swinging kitchen doors, she turns to me, tips up on her toes, and brushes her lips on mine. “Twenty minutes,” she says, squeezing my hand before slipping between the kitchen doors.
I lean against the wall and dig my phone out of my pocket to waste some time. It vibrates in my hand with a picture of Hunter,in a frilly apron covered with flour, flashing across the screen. Our kitchen from the rental is in complete chaos behind him.
Hunter
Bruh, who thought it was a good idea to put me on sister duty?
Me
You know cereal exists, right?
Hunter
You ever told Hadley you’re not making her pancakes? The girl is downright scary in the morning.
Me
Good point. Maybe call Ashlie for reinforcements?
Hunter
Can’t. She’s on her way to help with the event.
Me
Well, it was nice knowing you. At least you’ll go out looking pretty!
Hunter: *middle finger*
I chuckle, silently wishing him luck as I continue scrolling through my phone. My hand drums against my leg while I wait for Kayla to finish. At last, she slides back through the doors with her purse in hand, blowing a forceful puff of air through her lips.
“Ready?” I ask, nodding slightly at her exasperation.
“Yeah, just a little overwhelmed,” she says, sandwiching my hand between both of hers as I lead her out to the parking garage. “Where are we going?”
“Over to my place. It’s not too far—about ten minutes with traffic. I’ll cook lunch for us.”
“Cook?” She looks at me, her eyebrow raising like I’ve said the most outrageous thing. With her working so much this summer,I’ve never had the chance to show her my skills in the kitchen. Most of our meals have been at Patti’s Place, save for the family dinners she’s had at the rental and the few at her house.
“Hey, I can cook!” I chuckle, unlocking my car. When I open the passenger side door and she slips into the seat, I lean across her to steal a kiss. “I think…”
