He chuckles, a soft sound. “Thanks, Ken. What about you? Any ideas for after graduation?”
I pause, the question catching me off guard. I never really thought about what I’d do after. In the back of my mind, there’s always been art, always been painting. But I’ve always kept it in the background, unsure of where I’d take it.
“Well,” I say slowly, “I’ve been thinking about cosmetology school. I want to open a salon here in town. Maybe something small at first, but I could grow it. You know?”
Cole nods, his hand now resting against my back, his thumb moving in slow, reassuring circles. “I think that’s a great idea, Kenna. Totally doable. The skills are definitely there. That’s always been a special thing about you. The way you can make people feel good about themselves.”
I feel a smile stretch across my face. The words settling in my chest like a warm blanket. “Thanks, Cole. I want to keep painting, though. I don’t want to lose that part of me.”
“You won’t,” he says with conviction. “Don’t forget about what you love, Kenna. You can do whatever you set your mind to, but don’t ever lose that passion for your art. It’s who you are.”
His words hit deeper than he probably realizes. I swallow hard, the pressure behind my eyes making itself known. No one’s ever said that to me before. Not like that. People always talk about being practical, about backup plans, about money and job security. But Cole…he just sees me.
I lean up slightly to look at him, the sincerity in his eyes melting any doubt I had. “I won’t,” I promise. “Thanks for saying that. I needed to hear it.”
Cole’s eyes meet mine for a long moment, and something unspoken passes between us. I feel my chest tighten, and I know I have to say it, that I have to take a chance now.
“My stomach’s growling,” I admit, trying to lighten the mood, but Cole laughs softly, his hand still resting at my side.
“Yeah, I figured,” he says, his voice warm withamusement. “Come on, Sunshine, let’s get you something to eat.” He stands, pulling me up gently by the hand, and then, without warning, he pulls me into a tight hug.
“You’re hungry, huh?” he teases, his breath warm against my neck. “I don’t let my Sunshine go hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”
His arms are strong around me, and for a split second, I let myself feel the security of it, the comfort that only Cole can bring. But then, without thinking, I pull back just enough to bring my lips to his. It’s not like any kiss we’ve shared before—this one feels different, more certain, like a declaration I didn’t know I was ready to make.
When I pull away, I look into his eyes, my chest full of emotion. “I love you, Cole,” I whisper, barely able to get the words out.
The way his face softens, the way his eyes search mine, makes my heart skip a beat. “I love you too, Kenna. I always have.”
His voice doesn’t shake. There’s no hesitation. Just three words spoken like a promise. It’s like everything in me settles in that moment. Like I’ve been holding my breath for months without realizing it, and now I can finally breathe.
The words feel right, like they’ve been waiting to be said for a long time. I smile, a little embarrassed, but I don’t regret it.
We move downstairs to the kitchen, and Cole pulls out ingredients, setting up for whatever he’s going to make. As he gets to work, I stand next to him, watching his movements.
“What do you want to do this summer?” he asks, glancing over his shoulder at me.
I lean against the counter, thinking for a moment. “I don’t know… I’ve been thinking about just spending time with you, seeing where we go, you know? We don’t need to have all the answers right now. We have time.”
Cole grins and nods as he pulls out bread and cheese. “Yeah, I know what you mean. We’ve got time.”
“I was thinking,” he adds after a beat, “we should go on a trip in July. Just get away for a bit, clear our heads.”
I raise an eyebrow. “A trip? Like, where?”
“A camping weekend on the beach,” he suggests, looking at me like he’s already picturing it. “Just us, the ocean, and maybe some time to figure things out.”
The idea feels right. It feels like it could be perfect. “That sounds amazing,” I say, a smile creeping onto my face. “You know what? We should do it for your birthday. That way, it’s like the best birthday trip ever.”
Cole stops what he’s doing, looking over at me with a surprised expression. “That’s actually a great idea, Ken. I like it.”
“I’ll surprise you with something, too,” I say, suddenly feeling a burst of excitement. “It’s your birthday. I want it to be special.”
“You being there will already make it special,” he says softly, and I feel those words settle into my ribs like they were meant to live there.
As Cole cooks, I slip my arms around his waist, my head resting against his side. He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head, and I close my eyes, letting myself savor the feeling of him close to me.
When the grilled cheese sandwiches are ready, I sit down at the table, devouring the food, feeling the weight of everything around me settle into place. I’m here with him. He’s here with me. And for once, the future doesn’t seem so uncertain.
