Page 109 of The Problem with Dating

I forgot to tell her the truthful part, though. The part where I secretly just wanted to hold her in my arms. That I craved her touch. That I wanted her to stay against me until the sun set and rose again.

We took the photograph, and I kissed her cheek as the camera flashed.

The cameraman smiled. “It’s good to see such a happy couple. You two look great together. Thanks!”

He hurried away, and Yara slightly twisted her body to face me. “Did you hear that? We look great together.”

I brushed my nose against hers and whispered, “It’s all you.”

She scrunched up her nose and smiled, her lips so close to mine. “It’s all you,” she replied.

Us.

Even if it were merely make-believe, it was all us.

Her mouth brushed against mine for a moment, but she suddenly shook her head and crawled out of my lap. “Sorry. Make-believe.” She giggled nervously. “I almost forgot.”

Oh, how I wished she had.

She went to her picnic basket and unpacked the goodies she’d made. “It’s a charcuterie board, Yara style.”

I laughed as I looked down at the spread. Ritz crackers and cream cheese. That was it. That was all.

Well worth twenty thousand dollars.

It also came with her goofy smile packed with joy.

For that, I would’ve paid double.

We spent the remainder of the evening under the stars. She told me stories about her life, and I shared a few of my own.

“My mom started the tradition of the water dishes for the small businesses,” she explained as she lay on her back with her hands behind her head, looking at the stars. “She made them down at Pat’s Pottery. She passed away when I was eight, but I kept making them when new businesses came into town.”

I sat up. “The one I broke was based on a tradition your mother started?”

She nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I said it’s not just a water dish.”

I shifted and turned my body toward her. “Yara, I—”

“Don’t apologize,” she urged. “You already did.”

“That was before I knew the history of it. That was important, and I ruined it. I truly am sorry.”

“Alex, I’m going to say this one last time, just so you truly believe me deep in your gut. I forgive you. For all the mishaps we’ve had. We’re good.” She stood to her feet. “I almost forgot about dessert. Stay here. I saw Hadley’s peach pies were out at the festival, and I think you need to taste that to experience the best pie of your life. I’ll be right back.”

She hurried away, and I watched as she disappeared into the festival lights.

CHAPTER30

Yara

After paying for the peach pie, I grabbed two plastic forks and happily started my journey back to Alex. I didn’t think my heart stopped beating so fast since we sat on that blanket with one another. Everything I learned about him felt like the most special treat. The man who was once so hard was slowly opening up to me. Piece by piece, he showed me his soul, and I loved what he revealed.

“Yara.” I turned to find Cole.

Just like that, my floating feeling was snatched away. In came Cole—the joy sucker.

“I don’t have time to talk, Cole,” I said, stepping forward.

---