Chapter 22
Willow Rogers
T he salty breeze slams into me, a shiver running down my spine.
The sun slides beneath the waves, leaving the sky painted pink and orange. Meadow Beach became my reluctant home when we moved after my fifth birthday. In my mind, the world was ending because I couldn’t see my friends anymore.
Then on my first day of elementary school, I met Jazmine, and I forgot all about Nevada and its scorching, dry heat. Deciding to move back to Nevada was–well, if I’m honest with myself, a mistake.
Sure, it forced me to learn some hard truths about myself and life, but it didn’t come without its scars.
I smile, leaning against the wooden fence that protects the flowers and scrubs from foot traffic. An arm threads through mine, pulling my attention to my sister.
“You okay?” Cami asks.
“Yeah.” I sigh. “Just remembering how much I love this place.”
My sister smiles before we follow the footpath leading toward the condensed main street of Meadow Beach.
The small coastal town epitomises beach vacation, yet the original features of the town remain despite standing for centuries, making it the perfect combination of picturesque views and quaint infrastructure.
The shop fronts in the main street are from two hundred years ago, a characteristic giving Meadow Beach an edge on other vacation spots.
A squeal falls from my lips at the sight of Books a forbidden fruit that I need to devour.
Jayden’s hand cups my neck, before slowly pulling back. He visibly swallows and his green eyes don’t leave mine. I want to steal another kiss–press my lips against his and never come back up for air.
“Okay, let’s have a tea party now.”
Jayden and I rear back from each other, placing distance between us. The tea party continued for an hour with secret glances and lively giggles.
Jayden and I pretended to be the king and queen and I did my best to focus on Daisy instead of Jayden’s pink, swollen lips.
Eventually, Daisy decides she wants to build a fort and watch a movie in the lounge room. So, Jayden and I get to work. We use the dining room table and chairs as part of the scaffold that will hold the make-shift roof, while Daisy drags her favourite pillows and blankets under the newly made fort.
“Let’s watch Moana,”
Daisy and I pick our spot on the cushioned floor, leaning against the couch. Jayden selects the movie, before joining us. He sits beside me, our shoulders brush and my blood heats.
Daisy snuggles into my neck, falling asleep within minutes of the moving starting.
I swallow, glancing to Jayden’s face. “Can I ask you something?”
He meets my gaze, eyebrows scrunching. “Sure,”
“Did you hate me when we were teens?”
“No, I didn’t hate you, Willow. Sure, you are infuriating and drive me closer to insanity every day—” A laugh tumbles from my lips before they curve upwards. I can’t hide the smile. I watch Jayden. His jaw ticks, but somehow, his eyes soften. “—I could never hate you. I don’t think I ever have.”
My heart pounds in my chest, the echo reaching my ears.
“Why do you ask?”
“I–” The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I’m scared to say them. “I know I can be too much–”
“Stop.” Jayden growls. Literally growls.
“You’re not too much. You’re pe–” He stops himself, taking a deep breath.
Jayden wraps his arm around my neck, pulling me and a sleeping Daisy closer to him.
“I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that way, but just know that I like that you speak your mind and have an opinion. ”
I suck in a breath, dipping my head into the crook of his neck. I blink back the tears forming and mutter: “Thank you.”
We stay like this for a moment too long, and it has thoughts running rampant in my mind.
I want every day to be like this–or maybe, I want every day with Jayden.