Well, darn. I didn’t think about me having to do the same thing. I shift my weight from foot to foot, anxiety dancing in the pit of my stomach.
“Are we keeping things superficial?”
“You’re in control, Ella” he tells me in a hushed tone, his eyes burrowing through mine. “We can go as deep as you want.”
Heat creeps up my neck, quickly spreading across my cheeks and I break the stare, looking back out at the river, clearing my throat. I give myself a moment, trying not to focus on the two different meanings his words could hold. The surface of the water shifts, shimmering beneath the moonlight.
“Yellow is my favorite color. My favorite food is homemade apple pie. I also like to paint.”
Cole doesn’t say anything at first and I reach up to push a chunk of my hair behind my ear. A nervousness washes over meand I quickly push the uncomfortable feeling away. My spine straightens and I stand firm in the things I told him, feeling confident, even though the self doubt creeps around the edges. I chose the safest, most superficial option of telling him the same kind of things he said to me.
He turns to face me and I mimic his actions. “You hate apple pie,” he finally says. “You still paint?”
“Um,” I start, my eyebrows momentarily pinching together. It wasn’t the question I was expecting. “I do, but just for fun.”
“I’d like to see them sometime.”
Absolutely not. My paintings are private. Chloe and Remi are the only ones who see them and I’ve been turning down Remi’s stupid suggestions of doing something with my art for a while now.
“They’re not all done. I ran out of supplies and haven’t had a chance to get more yet.” The words tumble from my lips in a nervous rush. I shouldn’t have even brought up painting, but I didn’t think that was the one piece of information he’d hold on to. “I don’t think they’re ready for anyone else to see.”
He stares at me for a second, his gaze holding onto mine before he nods. “That’s okay,” he assures me with a tender smile. “You can always tell me no, but if you ever decide to change your mind, I’d very much like to see them.”
My lips part and I shut them before responding. “Okay.”
Why can’t my brain form any coherent thoughts tonight?
A droplet of rain randomly falls from the sky, landing on my cheek. Lifting my chin, I tilt my head back, watching the clouds as they begin to hide the stars. There’s a low rumble of thunder off in the distance and I feel another drop of rain on my skin.
“Well, this is disappointin’,” Cole says quietly as he lets out a sigh. “I suppose we should probably go.”
I’m not ready to return to reality. It’s like we are encapsulated in our own little bubble, tucked away from the restof the world. Chloe is safe with Remi and this is the first time in many years that things have been quiet in my soul. I haven’t once looked over my shoulder, haven’t second guessed a single second on this beach with Cole Wild.
“Just a little bit longer?”
Cole smiles and nods, a look of contentment settling across his expression. “As long as you want.”
Silence settles around us, enveloping us in its warmth. It isn’t long before there’s another rumble of thunder, followed by a flash of lightning, illuminating the night sky.
“Wyatt’s comin’ back to town next week,” I say, lifting my eyes up to look at the sky.
“Oh yeah? How long will he be here?”
“Only for the day,” I say, my voice quiet. “It’s the anniversary of our parents’ accident, so he said he’d come visit their graves with me.”
Cole is quiet for a beat. “I’m sorry, El.”
“It’s okay,” I offer, shrugging my shoulders, turning back to look at him. “It will be three years, which is crazy.” I let out a breath, shaking my head. “I miss them, but it’s gotten easier, ya know?” Guilt pricks my heart when I admit the words out loud.
Cole nods, his expression thoughtful. “They’d be proud of both of you.”
My chest constricts and emotion wells in my throat. “Thanks,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I roll my lips, tears stinging my eyes as a crack of lightning sounds around us, streaking across the sky as it illuminates the darkness.
Cole immediately steps closer. “Let's get out of this storm before we get struck by lightning.”
The droplets of rain are progressively getting larger as they begin to fall faster. “I think that might be a good idea,” I agree with a soft laugh.
It’s as if the sky decides to open up at that moment, bringing on a downpour. Cole grabs my hand, making a run for it as we race across the beach, back toward the path that cuts through the dunes. My feet pound against the ground and laughter bubbles out of me as my hair whips behind me.
