Page 32 of A Sinner's Saint

“Whatever it is that’s dimming your smile. What’s on your mind, Cammi?” he asks.

“I, uh… I got an acceptance letter for university.” I turn and look at his profile, watching his reaction.

“Babe, that’s great. Usually people are happy when they get those letters. Why aren’t you happy?”

“It’s for the University of Sydney,” I explain.

“Sydney?”

“Uh-huh. I applied before I met you. They have a really great program there.”

“You’re moving to Sydney?” he questions.

“I don’t know.” I sink down into my seat. “It was always my plan before…”

“Before what?”

“Before you.”

“Cammi, you’re not changing your life plans for me. If Sydney is your dream, then do it,” he says. “I won’t be the reason you’re not living out your dreams.”

“I won’t be living any kind of dream if you’re not part of it, Vin.” I sigh.

“We still have time to figure out the logistics,” he says. It’s not what I wanted to hear. I want him to tell me that he can’t bear the thought of living without me. I want him to tell me not to go.

When Vin stops the car, I look up and see we’re at the beach. I haven’t been here for ages. I love the beach. The sand? Not so much. But I love everything else about the ocean. The sound of the waves crashing. The smell of the sea air. The cool breeze…

Vin steps out of the car and walks around to the passenger side, opening my door. I jump and inhale the salty air. “I haven’t been here in so long.”

“Let’s go for a walk.” Vin picks up my hand without me having to ask him. We both look down at our joined palms, and then I take a step towards the beach. Vin follows.

It’s a huge moment. We both know it. I just don’t think I want to make a big deal out of it. I want him to be comfortable touching me whenever he wants to touch me. Without needing my permission.

We silently walk along the sandbank, stopping just before the water’s edge. Vin sits on the ground, pulling me down with him. Hand in hand, we sit and stare out over the ocean. “I want to be selfish and tell you not to go. I want to tell you that I need you. That I can’t possibly fathom going back to a life without you,” Vin whispers.

“Then tell me,” I say. “Tell me that, and I’ll stay.”

“I can’t.” He shakes his head. “I can’t be selfish with you.”

“Then come with me. Come to Sydney.” I’m practically begging him.

“You want me to come with you?”

“I want to be with you. I don’t care where it is, Vin,” I admit.

“Okay,” he says.

“Okay? You’ll come? Or… okay, you’ll think about it?” I really need him to clarify this.

“I’ll come with you.” He smiles. “You know I would have followed you anyway.”

“You would?”

“There’s nothing that could possibly keep me away from you, Cammi.” Vin’s face drops closer to mine.

“Kiss me,” I tell him. “I want you to kiss me like the world is burning around us, and we only have minutes left to live.” I smile up at him.

“Just so you know, I’d find a way to save you even from a burning world,” Vin says before his lips press against mine. His tongue pushes past the seam of my mouth, twirling around.

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