Page 29 of Hot Stuff

“Why?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Because—" Her mouth opened and shut.

“You’re so fucking sweet, baby.” My forehead rested against hers, and I took a deep breath. “That night out there? I wished for a sign so I could figure out what’s next. To show me a sign of where I belonged, and there you were.”

“Good thing it wasn’t a sandwich,” she mumbled. I choked back a laugh.

“What?” She winced.

“I just mean… honey?—"

“Shh, will you please let me explain?” I asked gently, and she nodded. “I saw you and felt something, but I tried to talk myself out of it. That lasted about five minutes before I went to look for you, but you were gone. Then, when you showed up after I found your pen, something clicked into place.”

“I can’t be your reason. You need?—"

“You know that surf shop?”

“The one that rents out bikes?” she asked.

“And surfboards and paddleboards,” I added.

“Yeah, what about it?”

“I bought it.” Her eyes widened, and I saw it.

Hope.

For more.

For us and our future.

“I found it after I dropped you off at work. I saw the sign and, I don’t know, it made sense for me. I didn’t wanna go back to working for someone else so they could tell me what to do. I did that shit for twenty-one, almost twenty-two years in the Navy. I wanted to be my own man and?—"

“Now you are.”

“Now I am.”

“Do you think…” Her voice drifted to nothing, and I waited. “Do you think you could really be happy? I mean, doing that?”

“How couldn’t I? Wake up early, catch some waves, then open shop until some kid comes in and works for me so I can go see my girl? What’s not to like?”

“Go see your girl?” she asked so softly I thought I had imagined it.

“See, something happened when we were spending time together that you gotta know about.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah, I fell in love—" She was about to interrupt me, so I spoke faster— “I know it sounds crazy and it's fast and really fucking nuts. We just met, what? Not even two weeks ago. Less than fourteen days, but I know, Karol baby, I know you’re it for me. If you aren’t there, that’s okay. I’m not going anywhere. I told you last night that I was yours until you didn’t want me.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I nodded and caressed the side of her face with the edge of my hand. “You done with me, Karol?” I asked, wearing my heart on my sleeve for the first time in my life.

“No.” She shook her head. A tear rolled down her face. “No, I’m not done with you, not even close.” Her arms wrapped around me, and she hugged me.

Her body wracked with small sobs as I held her close. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my plans earlier. I wanted to make sure Bennett was going to accept my offer before telling you. Just in case he didn’t take it.” She sniffled and pulled away. When our eyes met, the pads of my fingers made quick work of wiping away the tears. “I’m really sorry.” I felt like an ass for having made her cry.

“I don’t need time.”

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