“You know…” Her voice trails off as she looks back at me. “It’s really good to see you.” She purses her lips together in the cutest way, and I take a deep breath as the darkness starts to overtake the beach. “I’m—”
“I’m sorry,” I say, stopping her from continuing. “I’m sorry that I put too much pressure on you. Honestly, I’ve just had a crush on you since I first saw you all those years ago, and when you gave me the time of day, it was…” I pause, laughing. “Magical.”
She smiles, her eyes brightening. “Well, I really enjoyed the connection I was building with you.” Brittany pauses from where she’s scratching Buddy’s ear and finally takes a seat next to me. “I think you’re incredible, Weston. And, actually … That was the best kiss I’ve ever had.”
My brows skyrocket. “You sure didn’t act like it was. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone duck and run like that after experiencing the best kiss of their life.” I try to laugh it off, but I can’t lie, the pride of being the best kiss of Brittany’s life is surging like wildfire in my chest.
“Well, sometimes falling for someone is scary,” Brittany says carefully, catching my eye. “Especially when the last time you did, you lost yourself in it.”
“I get that.” My voice softens as I hold her gaze.
“With Cal, I rearranged everything,” she continues, quietly. “My plans. My future. Who I thought I was supposed to be. And when it ended … I didn’t even recognize myself.”
I don’t interrupt. I don’t think I’m breathing.
“But with you … I feel like I can be myself. Like I can just exist next to you and not have to change shape. With your letters, there was no pressure, no version of me I was trying to sell. Itwas just … me, being authentically myself in a way I forgot I could be. I’m sorry I pushed you away.”
“I was happy to be your pen pal, Brittany.”
Her lip falters. “Yeah, but you know what?”
“What?” I ask her.
“I want more than that.” She leans in, just as an explosive blast of fireworks fills the sky around us. Her lips brush mine, and I catch my breath as she sparks an entirely different kind of firework. I bite at her bottom lip, my heart soaring at the sigh that leaves her mouth. My fingers thread through her soft blonde locks, and I don’t question the moment—the gift I’m getting from the most amazing woman, ever.
Her tongue sweeps across mine, and her fists cling to my T-shirt, holding me to her. More fiery explosions ignite the night sky, and Buddy pants beside us, completely unbothered by our kiss or the party erupting around us.
“Thank you,” she whispers as she pulls away, her lips swollen and pink. “For being there for me.”
“Any time,” I choke out as her nose brushes mine. “You say the word, and I’ll be there—in more ways than just the form of a letter.”
She giggles. “So, does that mean we’re more than pen pals now?”
Disbelief fills my chest as I try to wrap my mind around this most perfect moment. “Um, actually…” I sigh, leaning away. “I probably should ask you on a real date first. You know, do this thing properly.”
She giggles. “Okay. Fair. I’ll go on a date with you.”
“Maybe I’ll get lucky enough and get two?” I joke, wiggling my brows.
She bursts into laughter. “Don’t get too ahead of yourself. My brother says you never make it past the second date. I should probably be leery.”
“Yeah, whatever.” I chuckle, draping an arm around her as we watch more fireworks explode in the sky. “For the record, thiscouldbe considered a first date.”
“Hmm…” She tips her head back playfully. “Fine then. Take me on a second date.”
I get caught up in the way her lips curl playfully into a smile—one that dares me in a way that makes my heart race, and my head feel light. “It’s going to be the best date of your life. Just like that kiss.”
I hope.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Brittany
“You look amazing,” Amy gushes as I step out in a pair of light-wash jeans and wedge sandals. My white blouse makes my skin look more sun-kissed than it really is, and being out here in the beachy weather makes that a total plus.
“Do you know where he’s taking me?” I can’t help but ask the question. Weston hasn’t given me any information, other than that I should be ready by seven.
“I’m not telling, even if I do,” Amy hums, her words turning into a little tune. She leads the way down the hallway and stairs, where Parker and Weston are sitting on the couch. Buddy peeks up at us from his bed, but doesn’t move otherwise. The poor guy is exhausted from all the frisbee playing we’ve done over the weekend.
