The stars are shining bright tonight, and it’s close to a full moon, too. Dane flips a few switches, and I think he turns on the boat lights and steers us back to the dock. It’s a quiet ride. I’m wrapped up in the blanket. Once the sun disappeared, the chill in the air felt twenty degrees cooler. Logan and Theresa are cuddled up with their blanket too. Dane drives the boat close to the dock to tie it up. We all step out and walk to the driveway.
Logan and Dane give each other a brother hug. Dane says, “Thanks, we need to do this again.”
I overhear Logan’s response as I hug Theresa. “Yes, absolutely.”
“Yes, please,” Theresa says as we release each other.
Dane rests his arms lazily on my shoulders, and we wave goodbye as they leave. Once they’re out of sight, he tugs me intomy body and wraps his other arm around me, holding me and keeping me warm, even though I still have the blanket around myself.
“Want to lie on the hammock for a little longer, looking at the stars?” Dane asks as he kisses my neck.
I squeeze him tighter around the waist. “Yes, you can keep me warm.”
“I can try really hard on the hammock,” he chuckles.
“That would be fun to try.”
“Getting my hopes up, are you?” He moves me, so his arm is still around me as we walk to the hammock on the porch of the hut. Dane plants himself down first, and then I come with him. We go swinging, and he covers me up with the blanket. With one hand behind his head and the other around me, we watch the stars.
My body feels heavy, and he must have sensed it, because he whispers, “You sleeping?”
I whisper back, “No, I’m very relaxed and watching all the stars in the sky.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Please let me know when you'd like to go in. I don’t want you freezing to death.” His whole body moves as he chuckles.
Kissing my forehead, he glances back at the stars, probably looking for constellations. We both see it at the same time, we practically jump out of the hammock and almost tip ourselves over.
I yell, wide awake now, “Did you see the shooting start too?”
“Yes, yes, I did. That was unbelievable. It shot across the sky. I’ve never seen one before.”
“It’s a sign.” I lean over, kiss him like it's my last.
On my lips, he whispers, “It’s definitely a sign. I love you.” He kisses me back like I’m the only thing he’s ever loved.
Epilogue
Kendall: Four Months Later
Dane insisted on a fifteen-foot tree decorated with colored lights and a huge star on top. Christmas at the lake house promises to be a festive occasion.
“Isn’t it a beauty?” Dane whispers in my ear as we stand there admiring the fully decked-out tree set up right in front of the large glass windows. The lake is covered in snow from the storm we had last night, but the ice isn’t ready to skate on.
“You picked a good one,” I say to him, squeezing his arms that are draped around my front.
He nudges me to turn and face him. Brushing the hair from my face with gentle fingers, he dips down to rest his forehead on mine. “Yeah, I did.”
The doorbell rings, jolting us out of the moment. “Guests are starting to arrive.” I peck his cheek and hug him, holding on for a few extra beats.
“Let’s welcome our guests.” We both turn and walk to the door. It’s all three of my best friends, bearing gifts and dessert. “You guys didn’t have to bring anything.”
Lane hugs me with one hand. “I mean, who doesn’t like chocolate cake?”
“Not many, thank you.” I take the container from her.
“Dane, looking dazzling as ever,” says Addison as he slips the tray of truffles from her hands to bring it to the kitchen.
“You always know how to pump up a guy's ego, Addison,” he chuckles.
