Page 106 of Falling

We're quiet for the rest of the day. Neither one of us wanted to say more than a few words after we just bled out our emotions onto the table. Something shifted. I don’t know when or how, but something else had changed between us. Like the string that was holding us together has pulled us even closer without us realizing it.

The only thing that’s running through my mind is the fact that I’m falling head-over-heels, no sign of turning back kind of in love with this girl, and I’m not sure if I’m enough to make her stay.

I am so fucked.

33

WREN

IT MUST BE SOMETHING IN THE AIR

“Surfing?”

I have the urge to say yes just to see his reaction, but I don’t have the energy. I came here in the hope of a relaxing vacation, not to go on an adventure every day.

Miles and I are on opposite ends of the huge couch in the hotel room. He’s flicking through a list on his phone while I try to finish reading my book. Which I’ve been trying to do for the last two hours, but he won’t stop bothering me.

“No,” I say again.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Maybe?” he says, leaning over and pulling my book from my hands, grinning at me. “Come on, Wrenny. You’re only in Palm Springs once.”

“I could be here next week if I wanted to.”

“Right, I forgot. Scarlett said that you’ll sugar momma me if I’m good,” he says. “I’ll be a good boy, Wren.”

“Shut up.” I laugh, pushing him away from me, but he’s a lot stronger than me, and he clasps my wrists together, kissing them like he loves to do.

“I’ll be so good for you, baby. So good.”

His voice is so fucking tempting and inviting that I know I won’t be able to fight him off for much longer. I sigh and soften my tone as I say, “Do youreallywant to go surfing?”

He nods, suddenly excited like a puppy. “More than anything.”

“Fine, but I want to be back here before lunchtime.”

We don’t makeit back before lunchtime.

In fact, we don’t make it back until the surf instructor has had enough of us and the sun starts to set. We were both terrible at it, and it only got worse when the instructor suggested we tried tandem surfing. I can't tell if I’m disgusted or impressed with Miles’s determination to actually catch a wave. We were out there for what felt like hours, sweaty, sticky, hot, and every other disgusting feeling you get after being out in the sun all day.

Instead of going back to our room like I suggested so we could order room service, I’m being dragged down a street to a dive bar, still in my skirt cover-up and bikini top while Miles is shirtless in his swim shorts.

“I need to shower properly. Please don’t tell me we’re about to eat here,” I say, letting Miles pull my exhausted body into the near-empty bar. I take a look around and it’s a nearly deserted space with a few people scattered around and a karaoke machine in the corner. “No.”

“Oh yes, Wrenny,” Miles says, pulling me onto the dance floor.

“Is it Opposite Day or something because it feels like you’ve been ignoring everything I’ve said no to all day?” I say, and he pulls me into him. He doesn’t say anything as he winks over to someone at the bar. “Miles Middle Name Davis, what are you doing?”

“Harlan,” he says, wrapping one arm around my waist and clasping his other hand in mine.

“What?”

“My middle name is Harlan,” he explains, and I snort. “Don’t ask. I have no idea where my mom got that name from. I think she was expecting me to turn out to be some big CEO or something.”

I laugh, throwing my head back. “It’s cute. It’s giving hardcore grandpa vibes.”

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