Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
Meadow
The afternoon slips away quicker than I’ve been sucking down my pina coladas—entirely too fast if you ask me.
Owen and I haven’t moved from the beach all day.
A couple of hours ago, we wandered down to a cute little oceanside shack for a late lunch. We ordered greasy fish tacos and crisp Coca-Colas, scarfing down every last bite while standing barefoot in the sand.
I smile to myself as I replay Owen sneaking bites off my plate when I wasn’t looking. I kept swatting his hand away, even though I secretly loved our little game.
We’ve talked about everything and nothing, rotating from lounging in our beach chairs to hanging out waist-deep in the ocean. Owen could be talking about something as basic as the color of the sky, and I’d still hang on to every word.
There’s a new, comfortable shift between us now. The sexual tension is obviously still there, but it no longer feels like we’re walking on a tightrope, afraid to fall into the unknown.
We’re currently sitting on our asses in the sand, our toes buried deep as the waves roll in. My head drifts onto Owen’s shoulder as I let out a contented sigh.
I’ve never been happier than I am in this very moment. I wish we could just stay forever. Say screw Chicago and our jobs and just… stay.
I’m positive our families wouldn’t sign off on that, though. My mom would have a full-blown meltdown, and honestly, I’d miss her too.
The sun begins its descent as the blinding rays fade into a dreamy, golden glow.
“Here it is,” Owen murmurs, nudging his shoulder against mine as the horizon blooms with pinks and oranges.
I glance at him. “Huh?”
“Your sunset,” he grins, flashing me a wink. “Remember, you said you wanted to watch it on our first night here?”
I chew on my bottom lip, trying to conceal my silly little smile because he remembered.
“I was wondering why you’d kept us out here all day,” I tease, nuzzling closer.
“Are you kidding? I wasn’t going to let you miss this,” he replies, stretching his legs out in invitation.
I instinctively slide over, settle between his thighs, and lean back into his chest. His strong arms wrap around me like a cocoon, pulling me into his warm body. His chin rests on top of my head as his breath blows against my hair, carrying the scent of rich, dark rum.
Tangled together, we watch the sky shift colors in silent awe.
It’s indescribable. The kind of beauty that a photograph could never capture.
“This is unbelievable,” I whisper, slowly shaking my head.
Owen hums against me. “It really is. I had no idea the sky could turn so many colors all at once.”
He tightens his arms around me, and I reach up, curling my fingers around his corded forearms, dusted with blonde hair. We watch in silence as the sea breeze dances against us.
“I can’t believe we only have two nights left,” I finally mutter.
Where has the time gone?
The instant the words leave my mouth, I feel Owen’s body stiffen around me.
Two nights—that’s all we have. Owen says nothing at first, but I feel the shift as his muscles go taut, and he pulls me closer, his breathing heavier as reality sets in.
“Only two nights?” he rasps. “I thought we had more time than that.”
Me too.
But we don’t.
“I know,” I breathe. “I swear we just got here yesterday. I also feel bad that you haven’t had a chance to spend time with Tyler and your friends.”
Owen chuckles softly against my hair, like that last sentence was ridiculous.
“Meadow,” he breathes, “besides going to his wedding tomorrow night, the last thing on my mind right now is hanging out with Tyler. I’d rather spend every minute here with you.”
My heart constricts as water stings the backs of my eyes.
I can’t describe how terrified I am for all of this to end. I want to stay in this little corner of the universe where the outside world can’t touch us.
“Owen—”
“Yeah?”
I lower my gaze, picking at tiny grains of sand on my thigh.
“I’m… scared,” I admit, my voice weak.
A beat of silence passes as Owen holds me tighter.
“I know,” he finally replies, his voice barely audible. “I am too. But we don’t have to figure everything out right now. We don’t even have to figure it all out next week. We can take our time.”
I can only hope he’s right—that we’ll somehow work this out.
Losing my friendship with Owen is something I can hardly bear to think about… But I don’t see how we could ever go back to friends if he decides we’re not right for each other.
“Yeah,” I mutter, my lower lip wobbling as I try to convince myself that we’ll work it out in time.
The sun slips beneath the horizon, staining the sky in purples and deep blues. The sunset comes to an end, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s some kind of cruel foreshadowing.
“Meadow,” Owen mutters, noticing the sudden change in my mood. His hand slides up to my jaw, gently turning my face back toward his.
“Meadow, look at me.”
I shift in his arms, my knees pressing into the sand as I face him. Our eyes flick back and forth in silent conversation, the air thick with all that’s unspoken. Owen’s thumb brushes my bottom lip as his gaze searches mine.
“Asking you to come here with me was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he murmurs. “I’m so fucking happy that you’re here with me. Thank you for saying yes.”
I lift a hand, pushing his hair back before threading my fingers through his tousled locks.
“Even though I fought it at first,” I chuckle softly, “I don’t think I could have ever said no. The second you asked, deep down, I already knew my answer.”
Owen’s lips curve up in a giddy smile seconds before he closes the gap between us. His hand sinks into the hair at the nape of my neck, pulling me into a kiss that takes my breath away.
He lets out a guttural groan against my lips as he kisses me deep and urgently, as though he’s racing against time.
My fingers tangle in his hair as I kiss him back with the same ferocity.
When we finally break apart for air, I rest my forehead against his, brushing my thumbs against his stubbled jaw.
“We might only have two nights left,” he mutters, breaking the silence. “But I’m not wasting a second of what we have.”
Faster than I can digest his words, Owen’s on his feet, hauling me up into his arms and carrying me like a bride.
I can’t help but giggle as he gives my ass a light tap and strides purposefully toward our suite.