Page 113 of The Version You Hide

I’m going to miss him too, a feeling that terrifies me more and more each day.

That fear must be written all over my face, because as I retreat away from him, his forehead wrinkles, his eyes scouring my face for answers he won’t find. “What’s wrong?”

I take a step back, my chest rising with an anxious breath as my eyes drop to the ground. “Nothing.”

“Don’t do that, Kenz,” he warns. “Don’t close yourself off to me.”

“It’s nothing,” I say to him. “It isn’t you. It’s me.”

“Ouch.”

“No. That’s not what…”

“I’m kidding.” He grins, his eyes twinkling deviously before they soften. He reaches for my hand, taking it in his. “Come on. What’s going on?”

“I’m scared.” I admit, unable to meet his gaze. I’m not sure how to tell him that I’m starting to feel things that I’ve only ever read about in books or seen in movies. That I’ve begun to have this constant fear that I need to hold onto everything, and to him, because it could all just go away in an instant. “I’ve never had this much to lose. I don’t know what it all means.”

He seems to consider this for a moment. Then his reply comes, confident and reassuring. “I think it means that you’re happy.”

“Yeah.” I feel my lips twitch, curling up in a grin until it builds into a smile that I couldn’t contain if I tried. I look down to where his hand clutches mine, squeezing it before he takes me in his arms. “I think I finally am.”

Chapter 34

DYLAN

“Thanks for today, Dylan.” Harper beams as we reach the end of the jetty. “I had fun. It was just what I needed.”

“You’re welcome, Harps. Anytime.” I wrap an arm around her, squeezing her in a friendly hug.

“I’m going to pay you back though.” She slides her beach bag off her shoulder and dips into it to find her wallet.

“Seriously not necessary,” I wave a hand at her generous gesture. “I get a staff discount anyway.”

“Oh,” she says. “Okay. Well, if you’re sure.”

“One hundred percent,” I assure her.

“You need a ride home?” Mackenzie pipes up.

“No, that’s okay. I can walk.” Harper readjusts her bag on her shoulder, her smile inching wider as she readies herself to leave.

“You sure?” Mackenzie asks. “It’s not like it’s out of the way or anything.”

“What do you mean?” she questions, her brows pulling in. “I live on the other side of town from you.”

“Yeah. From me,” Mackenzie replies. “But not from Dylan’s.”

Her eyes rake over me, letting me know that she doesn’t intend to go home just yet. It puts a smile on my face and fills my chest with warmth. Nothing makes me happier than knowing she’s found this level of comfort with me.

“Oh, I see.” Harper’s voice is lively as she winks at Mackenzie. “It’s all good. I think I’d prefer to walk anyway. I can’t wait to get back to Noah, but I also want to enjoy the silence for just a little longer.”

I chuckle. “No problem. Say hi to him for us.”

“Will do. Have fun, love birds.” Harper raises two fingers up to the sky in a peace symbol and turns on her heel, walking down the road in the opposite direction, her skin a few shades darker and her soul seemingly nourished.

“So, my place?” I ask as we walk toward the car.

“Your place.”

---