“That is a great idea,” Dylan mutters after staring a hole into her husband.
“That’s really kind of you.” I meet Ember’s gaze. He smiles, then gives me a small nod.
“Mom, would it be okay if I stayed at Lucas’s tonight?” Brody asks. “He video called me this morning, and he has a new game, and said if I asked you, we could have a sleepover.”
“We’d have to ask his mom first, sunshine,” I tell him. He nods, almost jumping in his seat.
“I could text Marcy,” Ember whispers, and it sends chills down my neck.
“Thanks.” I can feel Grady’s scrutinizing gaze. I move away from Ember, chatting to Desi.
A few hours later,Ember agrees to drive Brody over to Marcy’s. I relax in the backyard at the fire pit with Desi and Rez. Dylan used her pregnancy to get Grady to hesitantly leave. Something tells me that he’s picked up on a vibe between Ember and me. In truth, I really don’t care if anyone knows. I’ve spent the darkest nights alone, yes, they were there for me when I needed it, but I deserve to be happy too, the way they are. I deserve to have someone look at me the way Ember does.
“You two are cute together.” Rez takes me off guard with that comment.
“Did she tell you?” I glare at Desi.
“She didn’t have to. It’s kind of obvious with the way you two look at each other.”
I smile. “Feels good not to have to hide it, even if it’s just with you two.”
“Shelby, nobody can tell you who you should be with; that’s a personal choice. Remember that,” Rez tells me seriously, then laces his hands with Desi’s.
“I didn’t know you were so wise.” Desi smirks, kissing him.
“Oh, there is a lot you don’t know about me,” Rez teases.
“You two realize I’m still sitting here, right?”
“Oh, yeah, and like we don’t know, Ember had his hand on you under that lunch table. Your face was so red I thought you’d explode.”
“Oh my, God, Desi!” I gasp and fall into a fit of laughter.
“Now, that’s a sound I like.” Ember’s voice has my heart rate picking up.” He takes a seat beside me and throws an arm over my shoulder. He kisses my temple like it’s the most natural thing.
I feel the heat creep up my cheeks, looking over at Rez and Desi, who are grinning at us.
“Now, that is our cue to leave.” Desi giggles.
“You don’t have to,” I argue.
“Oh, we do.” Rez chuckles. We stand, and he shakes Ember’s hand.
Desi runs over to me and wraps me in a hug. “Let me know if he’s as good as he looks,” she whispers.
“Desi!” I hiss.
“Can we sit out there a bit longer?” Ember asks as we watch our friend’s taillights disappear down the street. I look up at him and nod.
“It’s a beautiful night,” I say, leaning into his arms.
“I have seen more beautiful.” He turns toward me, tilting my chin up.
I suddenly feel braver than I have felt in a long time. I stand and walk toward the small stream that flows behind my house. The moon is full, and I feel free.
He follows after me. “Come back here.” He laughs.
“This place is mine,” I tell him. “I had it built a year ago. It’s my quiet space.” It’s a small deck that leads to a dock. There’s a wrought-iron cathedral with a daybed, angel lights hanging from the entrance.
