I glance over to where Katie and Aiden are doing the same, and I can’t help but smile at the fact that she couldn’t care less about her wedding dress getting dirty.
“The women you bought that dress from in New York would freak out to see you sitting here, like this, wearing it,” I say with a chuckle.
She lets out a louder laugh. “Don’t you remember the expressions on their faces when I sat on the ground during the last fitting?”
I sit up just a little to face her better, not wanting to leave David’s arms though. “Yes! I have to admit, even I was a little taken aback by that too.”
She grins from ear to ear. “I knew this was exactly how our night would end, and I wanted to make sure I could sit here comfortably.” She looks up at Aiden. The love between them is so pure it’s heartwarming. “Just like the first night you finally made a move on me.”
“The first night your bitch-ass brother finally moved away,” Aiden states matter-of-factly, getting a rise out of David.
“Hey now.” David points a finger his way, acting like he’s mad, but we all know he’s just kidding.
“It really was the day he left?” I ask.
Katie holds Aiden’s arm that’s wrapped around her tighter. “Yep. I was sad he was moving away, and he was there to comfort me.”
“Were you sad too?” I ask Aiden.
“Fuck no. I had been counting down the days because I’d finally be able to get my girl,” Aiden states unapologetically before taking a sip of his beer, then grinning at David, who just laughs.
“So, you guys have been together ever since?” I ask both of them.
“Sure have.” Katie looks up at him, and they give each other a quick kiss.
I get cozy again in David’s arms, and for the first time since I can remember, I’m content. I’m happy. I’m free. I’m so relaxed that I feel like I’m going to melt down to a puddle of joy. I just love being here. I can’t even put my finger on the feeling rushing through me. There’s zero stress, zero discomfort. I’m just here,staring up at stars I never imagined could exist this brightly and not wanting to be anywhere but here.
“I can see why you wanted your night to end this way.” I let out a breath and keep my focus on the stars.
When David kisses my head, I’m officially done for.
“Yeah, we do this often. It’s just so peaceful, you know?” Katie asks, and I nod.
“I’ve never known this kind of peace,” I admit.
“I bet you don’t get the stars or silence like this in New York,” Aiden chimes in.
“You sure don’t.” I hold on to David’s arm tighter, not wanting any mention of New York while we’re out here. I just want to stay in this bubble forever.
“I don’t understand how you do it.” Aiden takes another sip, then continues, “More importantly, I don’t understand why you do it when we have all of this right here.” He holds out his free arm to the side.
I hear David sigh, but he doesn’t respond, so I turn a little to see him better. “Don’t you miss it here?”
David shrugs. “Yeah. Sometimes.” He kisses my forehead. “Having you will make things better.”
I lean back on him again. “I didn’t even know a world like this existed. I could get used to a life like this.”
“So, you’re saying there’s a chance,” Aiden sings out.
“A chance of what?” I ask, not sure where he’s going with this.
“A chance you’d get him to move back here,” Aiden responds to my question.
I turn to look at David again, wanting to see his expression. I’ve never once thought about leaving New York, but I’ve also never known any life outside of it.
“It’s okay. I’m happy in New York.” David shuts the thought down, then holds me tighter.
I know this isn’t a conversation for right now, especially since we’ve only been together for a short time, but the idea of living here doesn’t seem so bad.
