Page 114 of Reel Love

“I always talk like a scientist,” I say. “Technically, since I am one.”

“And …” She kisses my cheek. “You’re always hot.”

THIRTY

Alana

I felt like we had a secret, just the two of us.

Like that thing where you just

wanna be with one person all the time.

You feel like the two of you get

something no one else gets.

~ American Hustle

Igrab my cell on a whim while Stevens drops the motor and turns it on so we can dock. After I’ve sent two texts, I pocket my cell and walk over to Stevens.

“I have a surprise for you. Do you like surprises?” I ask him.

“Honestly?”

“Of course.”

“No. I don’t particularly enjoy surprises. But I like you.” He kisses me on my nose and tugs me into a hug.

I snuggle into him, soaking up moments like this one before life hits the gas pedal again.

Then it hits me. This harbor isn’t private like the one where Joel parks his boat. We’re also closer to the resort.I’ve been so relaxed that I nearly forgot about being Alana Graves for a whole afternoon. Now, I remember.

I fumble around my bag for my ball cap, a hair tie and my Jackie Ohhs. Once I’m in some semblance of a disguise, I walk back over to Stevens who is puttering around locking things and wrapping the lines around the metal thingies on the side of the boat.

“So, you know how I said you could tell the people you trust about us?”

“Yeah. I’d probably only tell Kai. He’s the one I trust the most.” Stevens glances over at me. “I trust them all, but Kai’s the one I go to if I need to talk something out.”

I hope I didn’t misstep here, but I want people to know. I’m only protecting Stevens from the media hearing about us. As much as I love squirreling Stevens away like my own private stash of happiness, I want to live like a couple, surrounded by people who care about us. I’m tired of my tower. I think of that cartoon movie Brigitte showed me. Just like Rapunzel, I’m finally feeling that this is when my life actually begins—with him.

I put my hand on Stevens’ cheek. It’s a little scruffy. I look up into his eyes. He thinks I’m going to kiss him. I can tell by the way he glances down at my lips and back up into my eyes. When his eyelids start to shut, I decide I’d better kiss him first. It’s not like it’s a hardship.

My hand stays on his jaw and he dips his head low, splaying his palm on my back. Our lips meet in a comforting, soft, sweet kiss.

I pull back, Stevens is still holding me to himself.

“I did a thing. I hope you won’t mind,” I confess.

“What sort of a thing?”

His lips pinch together slightly and his mouth tips up in that adorable half-smile.

“I asked Summer and Ben to see if everyone wanted to join us for a bonfire tonight on the southernmost beach in Descanso.”

“You … asked my friends to a bonfire?”

“Technically, they’re my friends too. I just don’t see them often enough to really connect with them the way you have. Maybe they can be … our friends?”

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