The drive feels familiar and comfortable. Where the silence between us is just as perfect as the chatter. I’m lost in the sound of his voice, in the warmth of his hand holding mine. We drive for what feels like forever. The sunlight slants across his face, paintinghim in a way that makes him look almost otherworldly. Every glance, every smile, makes me fall a little deeper.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Cole pulls into a parking lot by a boat dock. I look out the window, confused.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, my voice full of curiosity.
Cole’s grin widens, the playful glint in his eye never fading. “I rented a boat for the day,” he says, clearly proud of himself. “Thought we could spend the day on the water. Just the two of us.”
I’m shocked. “You rented a boat?” I repeat, my voice coming out with more disbelief than I meant.
“Yep,” he says with a laugh. “Come on. Let me show you.”
When we reach the boat, it’s even more perfect than I could have imagined—a small, sleek speedboat, shimmering under the sun with the water rippling gently beneath it. I can feel my heart race, both from the excitement and from the affection I feel for him right now.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “This is incredible.”
“Anything for you, Kenna,” he says, and the sincerity in his voice makes everything feel right. “We’re going to have the best time.”
The rest of the day passes in a blur of laughter and smiles as we cruise across the water. I’ve never felt so at peace, so free. The boat rocks gently beneath us, the sunlight turning the water into a sea of glittering diamonds.
The wind pulls through my hair as Cole speeds across the lake, the spray of water misting over us. I shout something—probably a curse, maybe a laugh—but it’s lost in the rush of air and engine. He glances back at me, eyes squinting from the sun, his grin wide and boyish. It takes my breath away, the simplicity of it. Just him. Just us.
We anchor the boat near a quiet cove, surrounded by tall trees and rocky outcroppings. The world feels far away out here. Cole dives in first, and I follow, the shock of the cold waterwrapping around me like an embrace. He surfaces beside me, shaking water from his hair. “You still hate swimming in lakes?” he teases.
“Only when something touches my foot,” I reply, grinning. “Which is always.”
He floats closer, hands gently cupping my waist under the surface. “I won’t let the lake monsters get you.”
I roll my eyes, but there’s no sarcasm behind it. “Good. Because I’m pretty sure I’d die dramatically.”
Cole leans in, his voice quieter now. “Then I guess I’d dramatically have to save you.”
As the evening cools, I shiver, the warmth of the day fading. Without a second thought, Cole pulls a thick blanket from under the seat and wraps it around me, pulling me close against him.
We sit like that for a while, watching the water, the sky, the sun dipping lower.
“I want a boat someday,” I say quietly, more to myself than to him. “When we have kids...I want to bring them here.”
Cole’s hand slips into mine. “I’ll buy you a boat, Kenna. Anything you want. I’ll get you the world.”
I lean in, my lips meeting his, feeling like the world is exactly where it’s supposed to be.
I close my eyes for a moment, content, and let everything fade away, knowing that with him, everything will be alright.
Later, when I wake up in his arms, I’m still wrapped in the blanket, and I feel the steady pulse of his heartbeat beneath me. He’s carrying me, his arms strong and secure.
“Where are we going?” I murmur, still half-asleep.
“Heading home,” he says, his voice soothing. “Go back to sleep, Kenna.”
His words are a lullaby, and as I drift in and out of sleep, I hear his voice again, faint but clear.
“I love you,” he whispers.
The ride home is quiet, the steady hum of the car’s engine and the soft rustling of the blanket around me the only sounds. I lean into Cole’s chest, my eyelids heavy but unwilling to close completely. There’s something about this moment, about being with him, that makes me feel both incredibly calm and overwhelmed all at once.
His hand gently strokes my hair. The gesture is so simple but so comforting. My heart flutters with each movement, and I can’t help but smile to myself. It feels like every moment with him is perfect, and I’m not sure how I got so lucky.
I steal a glance at him in the dim glow of the dashboard. His jawline sharp in the flickering light, lips parted slightly in focus, one hand on the wheel and the other still tangled with mine. The weight of love hits me like a warm wave. It’s not just infatuation, or even the comfort of time. It’s the quiet certainty that this person is my home.
