Page 38 of We're One

“It’s Nikki’s and my goal to come back home. Being here today makes me want that more than ever.”

“Just do it. You won’t regret it.” She pulls away from me. A part of me wants to take the leap and come back home. Another part of my thoughts immediately turns to Zach. As much as I miss home, do I want to run away right now, right when things are heating up between us? I don’t know. I should run, but I can’t make my feet move.

I’m bumped from behind when another tall man pulls me into a hug. It takes a moment to recognize him because his features have become so chiseled, and his body has doubled in size from our senior year.

“Victor?”

He laughs. “You’re hurting my feelings that you barely recognize me.”

I grab his arm and give a squeeze. “Who would? You’re huge now.” I gasp as he gives me a cocky grin. He was always a bit nerdy in school. Probably why we got along so well. We attempted dating a few times, but we were too close of friends for it to ever work. Looking at him now, I’m wondering if I was an idiot. He’s absolutely gorgeous. Then again, Nikki had a bit of a love-hate thing going on with him too. Once that started any crushes I might’ve had quickly went out the window. We don’t share men.

“I just got back from my time in the Marines,” he says. “I had three deployments and worked my ass off... or on since it’s bigger now,” he tells me with a laugh.

“It’s bigger in all the best ways,” I tell him. “You have got to be fighting women off left and right.”

He shakes his head, and I still see that shy boy I knew beneath this new confidence he’s exuding. It’s aweing. “I’m trying to figure out what comes next in my life. I’m running my dad’s mechanic shop now and I love it, but I want more. I have some secret passions I’m not willing to admit to right now, but you never know what might happen. I’m also hoping to settle down, make a few rug rats, and get old.”

“I want to know immediately when you share your secrets,” I tell him. We used to share everything. He’s a great guy bestie. “Plus, all you need to do is hold out your hand and you’ll have all sorts of applications for the husband-daddy position,” I assure him. His cheeks flush the smallest bit.

“I was in and out of a relationship for about three years with a fellow Marine. She gets out in six months. We’ll see where it goes. My parents think she’s great, but she’s from New York, so I don’t know if it will work or not.”

“I hope it does, Victor. It sounds like you know who you are and where you’re going. I’m really happy for you.”

“I’m glad I joined. It definitely turned me into a man and taught me a lot. I’m also glad to be back home. I’m not willing to move across the country, though, not even for love. I know the clock is ticking on how much time I have left with my parents.”

“I totally get that. I want to move back too. The goal is to do so by the time I’m thirty,” I say.

“At least you aren’t too far away. New York to here is way too far,” he says. “Besides, I despise cities. They are too easy to get lost in.”

“I agree. Seattle was fun at first, but it’s pretty depressing at times with all of the rain.”

“I’ve had enough rain while serving to last me a lifetime,” he says. He’s then pulled away from me and I’m brought into another conversation. Time whizzes by as I move from group to group, loving to catch up with so many people.

It’s odd, though, because I keep looking out at the crowd, searching... I can try to deny it all day long, but I’m searching for Zach. Knowing he’s in town, I’m drawn to him, no matter how much fun I’m having with my friends.

I’m bumped around for a while and am now sandwiched between Emily and Jess. Emily leans forward and whispers in my ear. “A very tall, dark, and handsome man is making a beeline straight toward you with a very sexy and determined look in his eyes.”

I turn as my heart begins pounding and watch Zach parting the crowd like it’s the Red Sea and he’s Moses. It doesn’t take him long before he’s right in front of me, his eyes intense as the flames of the fire dance in them.

“Dance with me,” he says as a slow song plays on the radio. I don’t try to pull away from him. I want this dance, want to be taken back in time to when we danced like this the night before we made love for the first time. It was heaven then, and it’s just as much bliss to be in his arms now. I tune out the sounds of laughter and talking and get lost in Zach’s embrace.

I’m utterly lost as memories flood through me of us together, young and carefree. It’s strange how people talk about the world fading to black when they’re lost in someone’s arms, but it really happens. When the only sound you hear is the thumping of your own heart, it’s easy to tune out everything else around you.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Zach tells me.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

He grins at me as he swirls me around. The slow song ends, and a sexy number comes on. He doesn’t release me, only continues dancing. I’m sure people are watching us, but I don’t care. I’m sure some of them remember this exact scene from nine years ago. This man swept into our town and immediately knocked me off my feet. It seems he’s doing it again.

We continue to dance, laugh, and flirt, surrounded by my friends, surrounded by love and affection. I find myself feeling better than I have in a very long time, not wanting this night to ever end.

I’m not quite sure how it happens, but suddenly I’m led away from the party goers as Zach takes my hand and we stroll away from the fire, down the moonlit beach. The sounds of the party beginning to dim.

“What are you up to, Zach?” I ask, loving the warmth of his hand wrapped in mine. I don’t consider pulling away. Is it the magic of Seaville, or that I don’t want to let go of this feeling? Whatever it is, I don’t want it to end. I’m enjoying it far too much.

“I’m taking you to the resort. It’s not finished yet, but it’s beautiful, and you have to see it. I haven’t been here since construction began, and I’m incredibly impressed.”

“I was going to see it tomorrow, but tonight there won’t be hammers pounding so it will probably be better,” I say. He pulls me closer and wraps his arm around my shoulder, tucking me in close to shield me from the cold. I wrap my arm around his waist and snuggle in. I know this is dangerous, but I’m lost in the moment.

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