Page 50 of Unspoken Love

She tilted her head and gave him a look. “Even after I just told you I’m a relationship disaster?”

“Especially after,” he said quickly. “You think I’d let you back out now that I know your secret?”

She shook her head with a soft smile. “You’re infuriating.”

“Good,” he said. “That makes my news a little easier to tell you. I may or may not have signed us up for the paddle board race.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You did what?”

He grinned. “You’ll love it. It’s just for fun—no one’s out there trying to win Olympic medals.”

“You just want an excuse to get me into a swimsuit,” she joked.

“Guilty,” he said without even blinking. “But also, it’ll be fun.”

She sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if I fall off, you’re buying me funnel cake.”

“Deal.”

They stayed there a little longer, enjoying the summer air, the lazy buzz of conversation around them, and the anticipation of the holiday ahead.

Then they walked down the street to the ice cream parlor and sat outside and enjoyed a couple of cones. She picked mint chocolate chip, while he went for Rocky Road.

For the first time in her life, Faye didn’t feel like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

She just felt present. Thanks to Nate.

Chapter Sixteen

Since he was coming off a win, Nate figured he’d asked Faye over ice cream if she wanted him to stay another night at her place.

The couple nights he’d stayed with her had been, well, amazing. Sure, the work he was doing on his place had stopped, but Parker and his crew had updated the plumbing where needed and fixed a few electrical issues.

“So,” he said, brushing her hand lightly with his fingers, “any chance you want me to stay another night?” He’d missed her in bed when she’d spent the night at her mother’s place in Portland.

Faye looked up from her half-eaten ice cream, the corners of her lips tugging into a soft smile. “You just want to sleep on a real mattress again instead of an inflatable one.”

“Guilty,” he admitted, grinning. “But also, maybe I just like waking up next to you.”

That earned him a look—sweet and amused and maybe a little vulnerable. “Then yes,” she said. “Stay.” She took another bite of her ice cream.

They made it back to the house just before dusk. The wind had picked up slightly, carrying the scent of the ocean with it, and the sky was starting to melt into pinks and purples.

“Take a walk with me on the beach?” she asked as they got out of their cars.

He didn’t even hesitate. “Of course.”

They kicked off their shoes at the top of the stairs and headed down to the beach. The tide was pulling out, leaving glossy streaks of water across the sand. It shimmered like glass under the sunset.

For a while, they didn’t talk, just walked, toes dipping into the cool surf, shoulders brushing as they moved in step.

“This place doesn’t feel real sometimes,” she said eventually, her voice low, carried off a little by the wind. “Everything that has happened since I’ve been here seems like a dream.”

“It’s a good dream I hope,” he asked.

“The best.” She laughed.

He smiled and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her until they were both breathless.