My eyebrows fly up. “Um…what?”
He grins. “So, when I was sitting outside your apartment, Shane said something… And now that I think about it, I think this is exactly how everything was supposed to happen. He said that sometimes you need the right moment to snap everything into focus, something that gives you clarity. Maybe I would have gotten there eventually, but I think it took losing you those two months to realize how I truly felt about you.” He reaches for me, and I immediately put my hand in his. He squeezes. “As the great Yogi Berra once said, ‘If you don’t know where you’re going, you might not get there.’ This was what I needed to show me where I needed to go. So, I could find my way home to you.”
My throat tightens, and a burn builds behind my eyes. I hate that that’s what it took, but I can never regret it ended with us here. I force out a watery laugh. “That was a fantastic Yogi-ism drop. I thought they weren’t supposed to make any sense, but that one feels perfect.”
That lopsided smile resurfaces. “I mean, most of them don’t. But that one…yeah, I get what he was saying there.”
“Touché,” I murmur and cut off another bite of steak. “So, does this diet of yours allow for dessert?”
His smile disappears, and he looks so much like a kicked puppy that I have to resist pulling him over to me to comfort him. “No,” he says wistfully.
I glance up at him beneath my lashes. “I might have an alternative in mind that would be diet approved.”
He perks up, eyes brightening. “Oh, yeah?”
I hide my smile behind the back of my hand. “It’s not food, East.”
His brows pinch. “Oh?” Then they shoot up. “Ohhh.” He shifts in his seat. “Maybe we should hurry up and get through the main course then.”
I think that’s a great idea. I can’t wait for what I have planned next.
eighteen
Maddox
Ipullmycarinto the deserted lot and put it in park.
Easton’s white teeth flash in the moonlight. “Good choice, Madz.”
I thought so. I fight a smile as I pop the trunk and throw open my door. I head to the back of the car and grab the things I packed. East is by my side a second later grabbing our blanket. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve snuck out to the beach at night growing up. Back in high school, we’d throw back cans of soda and way too much sugar. Then in college, we’d share a six-pack and calzones or a pizza. We’d just lie under the stars, listening to the waves, talking about our dreams.
You and me.
I knew it was where I wanted tonight to end. I’m so glad the weather cooperated. In Connecticut, November can be below freezing, or it can hit fucking eighty. It’s a total crapshoot. It’s high-fifties tonight, so it’s chilly, but I have some thoughts about how I’ll keep us warm. Plus, East and I have gone entire winters without wearing winter coats—much to our mothers’ chagrin—we can handle a little cold.
And I also came prepared. I pull out two pairs of sweats and hoodies from my bag and dangle them in front of East.
“You’re brilliant.” He smacks a kiss on my lips like it’s the most natural thing in the world and then kicks off his shoes and shucks his pants. I stand there dazed, my heart swooping through my chest. How is this real life?
Easton slides on the grey sweatpants and lets out a happy groan. “God, is there anything that feels better than worn-in sweatpants?”
Your lips.
Your love.
I chuckle to mask the mushy sentimental feelings flooding me. I swear I’m a breath away from turning into a heart-eyed cartoon, complete with that ridiculous thumping heart popping out of my chest. I swap out my fancy clothes for comfort.
“I appreciate you putting up with my formal-attire request. As much as I love hanging out in sweats, I can’t say I hated seeing you done up. You clean up nice, East.”
East’s head pops through the hole of his hoodie, a soft smile curving his lips. “You do too, Madz.”
I wiggle into my own hoodie and let out a yelp as two large hands tug me into a solid chest. East buries his head in my neck and inhales deeply. It’s the way he always has, but this time it feels different. Maybe because I can finally sink into it, appreciate it for what it is. Before, I was always bracing myself, my heart. Now I can just be. Just enjoy his breath puffing over my skin.
“I liked it.” His whisper dances over my neck, and I shiver. “Going on a date with you. Kinda made it feel like we were…”
His words fade into the night, but I know what he was going to say. It’s part of what I have planned for tonight.
I grab the bag and tug his hand, leading us to the beach. My feet hit the cool sand, and it’s like coming home. This beach is so much a part of me and East. I sink into the loose sand and wiggle my toes, the grains sifting through them. I close my eyes and tilt my head back. And just breathe in the salt and brine and fresh air. I love that we grew up on the coast. It might not be a Florida or Cali beach, but it’s served us well.
