Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Ava
My body is vibrating with all the adrenaline that’s coursing through my body. Having Kai here intensifies it. I’m still in awe that he hopped on a plane to surprise me. It melts my heart. He’s been a comfort while I’ve been down here; it’s crazy he’s standing in front of me.
“Four hours,” I grab his hand and tug him behind me. When he finally catches up, he lets go of my hand, slides his arm around my shoulder, and pulls me closer. “Is there something you’re dying to do while you’re here?”
His steps halt us. Slowly turning to face me with both hands on my shoulder, staring into me like I’m the only thing that matters. “The only thing I’m dying to do is spend time with you. No expectations. Whatever you are up for, I’m game.”
My hands grab his powerful arms, circling his defined muscles as my brain short-circuits, then rights itself.
“Then let’s grab some food…there’s a great street taco truck down the way.
He’s open until eight. Then we can walk the beach, and I’ll show you the short-term rental we have.
Lia’s probably already there. Oh, let me text her.
” I pull out my phone and see that she’s already texted me.
Lia:
You closed up and were outta here before I made it over. Are you heading back?
Ava:
Yeah, well, I was surprised earlier by Kai…so we are grabbing food and will be back at the house in a bit. Fill you in later.
Not two seconds later.
Lia:
OMG…I’ll get to meet the infamous Kai Hastings. I’m screaming…can you hear me?
I slide my phone back into my pocket. “Street tacos for dinner?”
“Sounds perfect.” He slides his arm around my waist, and my head naturally rests on his shoulder while my hands scoop up his back.
Tables and chairs line the street, overlooking the beach, the sand, and the water, with a sea breeze. The view is breathtaking, even with all the lights shining around us.
As we eat our tacos, Kai keeps saying, “These are the best tacos I’ve ever had.”
“I told you so. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.” I take another bite of mine. They are mouthwateringly good.
“You mentioned coming home for the baby shower the other night. Are you excited about that?” He asks, pausing his taco right at his mouth, waiting for my answer.
“I’m really hoping I can head back to Saxville a few days earlier. The drive will be much easier.” I avert my gaze to the ocean, thinking about being back in Saxville with my family and this gorgeous man sitting in front of me. I touch his forearm to be sure I’m not dreaming. Nope, not dreaming.
He pulls me back to him with his words. “Can we possibly have some time together when you’re back in town?”
Why does this sound like a question that carries weight? Weight, I’m not sure I’m ready to admit or contemplate. Although he is sitting here with me, eating tacos and loving it all. I try to be vague while leaving it open. “We can probably make that happen when I’m back.”
What's the difference? We’re here now, spending time together. Why would it be any different when I get back to Saxville? I’m completely taken with him, but unsure.
We eat our tacos and walk the beach, hand in hand, because how else do you walk the beach with a man as handsome as this?
We talked about the mundane things in our lives, like updating me on his renovation projects. I’m captivated by him, and when shivers shoot through my body, I’m in so deep. It was one look, one night, one conversation. He knows what I need before I do. It's eerily endearing.
Once we are on the street where the short-term rental is, I twist and say, “It’s up here.”
“You’re that close to the beach?” His eyebrows shoot up as he stares up at the street and back to the ocean. “When you said you go to the beach every day, I’m not sure why I didn’t picture it down the street.” He chuckles and walks toward the house.
“It’s up on the right, number eleven.” I point up ahead to the blue house on the right with a front porch, and as we get closer, you can see the porch swing.
We both run up the stairs and onto the porch. “Come swing with me,” he says playfully and quickly walks over and sits his butt on the swing. Left standing at the door, I relent and scurry over.
His legs push rhythmically. “I love porch swings.”
“I see that.” I nudge his shoulder.
We sit quickly, the swing swaying, lulling my body into complete relaxation. Or is that the man sitting next to me? It’s the same thing that happens during our nightly talks. So maybe it is him.
The time passes quickly, sitting here, not saying much, soaking in how he smells as I discreetly rub my face against his polo shirt. Letting it stick to my face, it leaves a lingering leathery scent.
“Okay, why don’t you show me inside…and where you curl up and talk to me?”
It’s so forward, I whip my head around to stare at him. “Yes, sir.”
He jumps off the swing, turns toward me, grabs my hand, and pulls me to my feet. “Now, we’re getting somewhere.” He laughs as he tugs me to the door.
I give him the grand tour. Quietly, I point to a door. “This is my room.”
He gestures with his hands. “Then let’s see it.”
I open the door excruciatingly slow, and he crosses his arms, tapping his toe. “I’m waiting.”
When it’s completely open, he walks to the bed. With his large hands, he pushes on the mattress. He says, “Seems comfortable.”
Lia comes barging into the room. “Oh, you have company.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head at her. “Yes, Lia, this is Kai Hastings.” There was no need to elaborate; she’s well aware of everything Kai Hastings.
She walks up to him with her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Kai Hastings.”
“Nice to meet you, Lia. Thank you for keeping our girl company.”
Did he say, our girl?
The electricity shoots through my body, and I must have jolted because Lia’s wide eyes are staring back at me. Or it’s because she heard it too.
“As always.” She flashes a smile at him. “I’ll let you two do whatever you’re doing.” And she walks out of the room as fast as she ran in.
“You two must have fun together,” he says as he walks over to me. “Do we have time for a movie and popcorn, I mean, if you have some?”
We both look at the clock. It’s a bit later than I like to stay up, knowing tomorrow will be as hectic, except I’ll have these memories to keep me going. “Yeah, I love movies and popcorn.”
There isn’t a TV in my bedroom, so we stroll out to the living room and I hand him the remote. “Can you find us something funny to watch so we can laugh our asses off?”
I rummage through the cabinets. I’m pretty sure we at least have some microwaveable popcorn. And bingo, I found some. Opening the microwave, I pop the bag inside and push the popcorn button. Digging out a bowl to dump it into, I yell over my shoulder, “Do you want something to drink?”
“Water is fine. Do you need me to help with the drinks?” He stands up before I can answer and is right next to me. He takes the glasses from my hands and fills them with water. “Unless you want something else?”
“Ah, nope, nope. Water works for me.” My eyes are trained on him holding the waters. He walks by me and puts them on the coffee table, on top of the coasters that are already there. I dump out the bag into a bowl and walk to sit next to him on the couch.
And like it’s any other night that we sit together, he puts his arm around my shoulder, resting his hand.
When his fingers drag up and down, all of my senses kick up, and I can’t form a sentence.
Instead, I cram popcorn into my mouth and mumble about the movie, totally unfazed by the fact that I’m talking through half-chewed kernels.
Honestly, it’s better than blurting out how much I want him to kiss me.
The movie starts, and I laugh when I see who’s on the TV. Finally, I can piece words together. “Can’t ever go wrong with Adam Sandler.”
“That’s a fact.” He scoops a bunch of popcorn into his hand, his massive palm holding popcorn like it’s a bowl of his own.
The movie plays, and we laugh the entire way through. Then his phone timer goes off, and my heart sinks to the depths of my stomach. We were settling in for a great night, and now he has to leave. I remind myself that we’ve become friends—yeah, good friends. That’s it, right?
He taps his phone to shut off the alarm and clicks a few more times to order his Uber to head back to the airport.
This night has been one of the best nights I’ve had, maybe ever.
His body turns. I automatically fall into his arms and onto his chest. With his hands rubbing my back, there’s prickling in my eyes.
I brush it off as he reminds me of Saxville and my sister.
But I’m lying to myself. It’s that I don’t want him to go.
He stands up with me attached to him, hugging tightly. “The rest of your time here will be exceptional. You wait and see.”
His encouragement only makes the prickles in my eyes even more intense now. I wipe them with the back of my hand. “Wait, are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, of course I am.” More lies spew out of my mouth as my stomach knots up.
He stares at me with suspicion. When he steps closer, I want to be seen by him. I want him to see all of me.
“You don’t look okay.” He brings his hand to my cheek, brushing the back of his fingers over it. My eyes close, and I bring my hand to cover his.
We stand here for a few extra beats before I open my eyes and say, “I’ll be okay. Promise.”
“Okay, I’m not completely buying it. I’ll text you when I get home.
Check your phone is on do not disturb.” He holds my chin between his thumb and finger.
Dipping his head down to swipe his lips over mine tentatively, seeing if I’ll allow him.
It’s everything I want. I’d give anything for him to stay a little longer.
I reach up on my tiptoes, my arms draping around his neck, and I kiss him back. Fireworks explode behind my eyes and throughout my body as my thumbs rub his neck. I don’t want him to leave.
We say our goodbyes. He opens the door, gazes back at me, smiles brightly, and walks out, closing it behind him.
My body backs up to sit on the couch, pinching myself that this is real life. Yup, the man that I’ve tried to deny myself just left.
Lia walks into the room and sits down next to me. “Ah, you okay? Of course you aren’t…” She brings me into a side hug.
The fullness seeps into all the gaps in my heart, like warm honey, melding them back together, making me whole again. “I’m going to miss him. My heart is achy.” I move my hand over my heart and push on it.
Still holding me, she says, “Yeah, Ava, I’m sure it is.”
My body shifts in her direction, and I throw my arms around her. “I don’t like feeling like this.”
Rubbing her hands over my back, she sighs. “That’s your sign.”
“Why are there so many signs?” I mumble as my body slumps into her. “There’s already too many.”
“It seems like the universe needs to hit you over the head a few times to get your attention. You’ll need a few more, if I’m a betting woman,” she clears her throat, trying not to laugh.
The TV is still playing in the background, the smell of popcorn lingers in the air, and a tear slips from my eye. I let it run down my cheek as my nose tickles. Abruptly, I pull away. Nope, there will be no crying over some guy. Not happening.
She stares at me. “It’s healthy to cry and let it all out.”
“Hell will freeze over the day I cry about some…guy.” Stumbling over my words, I struggle between letting go of control and holding onto it for dear life. I choose the latter and sit up straight. “By the time I get back, he may not want to see me.”
Lia chuckles. “First, hell must have frozen over.”
“Shut up.” I swipe more tears from my cheeks, trying not to laugh again.
Then she scoffs at me. “If you think the guy who walked out that door just now is not going to want to see you…Wow, you are more blind than I thought.” She points to the door. “I’d bet money on it. That guy will never forget you. I see it written all over his face and eyes, Nothing but yearning.”
I shrug, trying to blow it off. “I don’t know.”
“You can’t hide from me.” She pokes my ribs and leans in.
“Ouch.” I whip my head around to her.
“Denial works every time…” Lia stands up and walks out of the room, leaving me with all my feelings that I want to ignore.