“Ah, sorry.” He pours water out into two mugs. “I’m being pushy. You probably want to do something else other than hang out with a workaholic loser like me. I’ll just, um…”
There’s no fighting this pull. After walking back to him, I touch Reed’s arm, and that shuts him up. He looks at me with an adorably confused stare when I say, “I think I’d like to keep hanging out with you.”
Bruun Park overlooks the ocean a few miles south of Mareflow. The green hills nearly shimmer in the November sun. It’s not too hot, not too cold, and several patrons are power-walking up and down the lanes on this perfect weekend morning. It’s a place I’ve been to many times, and I’m honored to get to share it with Reed.
After Reed drives us there, I rent two bikes at the front desk. We put on our helmets and ride up and up to the summit. I teasingly jeer at him to keep up, since apparently he hasn’t biked in years. Burning all these calories biking uphill might not be the sexiest part of our not-a-date-but-maybe-a-date, but it is fun.
And Reed genuinely seems to be having a good time. I’d like to think I’ve successfully taken his mind off of his nephew.
“Wow,” he says after we stop at the park’s summit. He takes off his helmet, and I do the same. The ocean is gorgeous in front of us, a big blue expanse that never seems to end. We can see it all under the Japanese-inspired pavilion. The shade is cool, in contrast with the sweat we’ve worked up, biking in the sun for thirty minutes.
“Didn’t I tell you this was the best view in the county?”
“You were so not kidding,” he replies. It’s humbling seeing this expanse of water. We’re two souls in a huge universe; two friends, gazing out at the sea.
“I’ve taken many photos here for my personal collection. The sun catches the blue of the ocean in the best way at all hours. It’s such a gorgeous view of what could be the edge of the world.”
“Indeed,” he replies.
Now that we’re not biking, I’m acutely aware of how close I am to my crush. Sure, we spooned last night, but this is broad daylight?somehow, it’s more intimate.
The world can see us, and Reed still wants to be by my side. But does he want more?
Gazing around, I notice we’re all alone up here in the summit pavilion.
“I’ve never known about this park,” Reed remarks.
“It’s one of the best places to get horizon photos. Stick with me, Sung.” I smirk and shrug. “I’ll show you all sorts of things.”
He laughs. “Like how to have fun.”
“Exactly.”
“And how to capture memories.”
“You could say that.”
“Photography is amazing in that way.” He looks at me. “Little moments in the palm of your hand.”
I nod, and the tension between us once again grows. As I study him, my heart rate picks up. His smile falls, and I have no clue what might happen next.
“I like hanging out with you, Skyler. You…make my life better.”
Oh my stars. “I like hanging out with you, too, Reed.”
The sounds of the distant waves fill my ears while he fidgets with his helmet. He parks his bike and places the helmet on the handle. Then, in a swift maneuver, he’s in my space.
Reed’s hands gently land on my face and neck. He pulls me in, and one heartbeat later, his mouth is on mine.
After the initial shock, I lean into his lips, and my very soul melts. I close my eyes and hold him closer by his hips.
Reed Sung is finally kissing me. Weeks of pining have led to this, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. He tastes so sweet, and when he opens his mouth, I explore him further with my tongue.
No one else on Earth exists. On this big blue rock rotating in space, we’re the only ones here, sharing this perfect moment. We’re simply two men, languidly enjoying the other person’s kiss. Monster god is looking out for me today.
All good things have to come to an end, so I pull back for air.
“Wow,” I say breathlessly.
