“T-T-T-today, Junior,” Xander quips while waving his hand.
Laughter follows, especially from Adam and Kevin, and it’s the most surreal moment in my life. I look over at the amazing man next to me and he meets my gaze, winking as he takes my hand in his. As the show resumes, we enjoy three hours of non-stop entertainment and music followed by a meet-and-greet with Adam, Kevin, and Anjelah. I learn Xander actuallyisfriends with Adam and Kevin, and they’ve jammed together at Dina’s bar.
“If we had more time before the fireworks, I’d say let’s head over there now,” Adam says. “But Jackie is in desperate need of her nightly ice cream.”
I laugh, commiserating with Adam’s wife. Exchanging a glance with Xander, he must know what I’m thinking as he chuckles, pulling me into his side.
“I happen to know another lady who might be in need of a sweet treat. After all, she got cheated earlier.” He winks down at me.
I bat my lashes at him. “Oh, someone more than made up for that with—”
“Save it,” Dani butts in. “Time to get back to the beach and secure a spot for the night’s finale.”
“Spoil-sport,” I tease while everyone around us chuckles.
After thanking our entertainers for a marvelous evening and everyone saying their goodbyes, Xander and I tell our friends we’re going to walk, and we’ll meet them at the bar. Earlier when we’d gone back to my place, I’d decided to change into shorts and a t-shirt, along with comfy sneakers. Besides my panties being ripped, my dress was a bit wrinkled, and my feet were tired of being in the wedges.
We shuffle through the thin crowd of remaining attendees, making our way outside.
“Tonight was amazing! And I even kept my fan-girling to a respectable level.”
Xander laughs then kisses the top of my head. “You were perfect. Those guys are so freaking down-to-earth. And Anjelah was a joy to meet.”
“She sure was. Crazy how I could picture us all as instant friends.” My gaze snaps to Xander. “I mean, you guysarefriends, and I just met them, and, well, I didn’t mean that like I expect to hang out with them or anything. I just—”
“Hey, I know what you meant. I’ll wait a week or so before I invite them for lunch at the bar. I mean, that’s tactful, right?”
When I see his teasing grin, I bump him with my hip, barely causing a hitch in his step.
“How come you never gave me an inkling you actually knew Adam and Kevin personally?”
He shrugs. “Didn’t want to sound boastful. I mean, they’re simply friends to me; their star-status not really a factor.”
“You’re a humble guy, Xander, and the perfect friend.”
He takes my hand in his, kissing my knuckles as we make our way up to George Bush Blvd with the night beginning to settle around us. The blue, clear sky gives way to faded gray with a lavender tone, and there are faint streaks of pink and muted orange decorating the horizon. Although it’s still warm, the heat has receded enough to make our walk comfortable. As we start across the walkway on the bridge, the last remnants of color begin to fade as if the curtain is closing on a perfect evening.
I stop to stare at the sky a moment before I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open my eyes, Xander’s gaze is on me. I give him an easy smile as I step to him and wrap my arms around his waist, looking up at his serene face.
“These past twenty-four hours have been unbelievable.”
“I hope you mean that in a good way because they’ve been beyond incredible for me,” Xander says, his warm hands resting on my lower back as he pulls me closer in a protective gesture.
We pay no heed to the pedestrians moving around us or the cars whizzing by; our sole focus on each other.
I nod. “I do. Never would I have imagined how my life would change from one sunset to another.”
“I’ll go on record as sounding corny by saying I hope to share my next lifetime of sunsets with you.”
I chuckle. “I love the sound of that. Now kiss me.”
“With pleasure.”
Xander lowers his head just as I rise on my toes, our lips meeting for a slow, luxurious kiss. A few whistles sound off around us and after another moment of indulging, we part, smiling.
Silently, we link hands and continue our walk toward the beach.
Tonight, I’m looking forward to more than just the fireworks in the sky.
