Page 35 of The Perfect Love

“Oh my god…” Chelsea stands, mouth open, taking it all in. “This is stunningly beautiful.”

I resist the urge to croon something cliché like“so are you.”

“Like I said, one of my favorite spots. Come here.” We set our stuff on one of the tables and walk over to the edge of the deck.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I tug her closer, then fish my phone out of my pocket and hold it out, capturing a selfie of us in front of the gorgeous view. I quickly check how it came out and smile.

“And saving that as my background.”

“Lock screen or home screen?”

“Lock screen.”

She purses her lips. “Am I not home screen material?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want a picture of myself on my home screen.” I drop my voice and nod toward the view beyond us. “Look out at the lake again.”

She stares at me for a beat, then does it. I snap a photo of her, standing there looking stunning as the wind blows through her hair.

I make a black and white copy of it. “Now that’s home screen material.”

Her eyes flit to mine, and I pull her close again.

“We only see our lock screen photos for seconds out of the day before our screens unlock. Those pictures aren’t really for us. They’re the ones we want to see for a second to smile or be reminded of something. Or to let other people see. But the home screen? Think about how much time we’re on our phones daily. Whatever I set as my home screen photo is something I could look at all day, every day.”

She huffs a sigh and looks up at me. “That is one of the most unexpectedly sweet things I’ve ever heard. You’re making it impossible to want to do anything but continue this date all day.”

I lean down and kiss her forehead. “And I wasn’t even trying.”

“Cocky little shit.”

I laugh and grab her arm, leading her over to the table so we can dig into our food.

“So, now you know about my lock screen and home screen. What are yours?”

She pulls her phone from her pocket and sets it in front of me. The screen turns on when she touches it, and there’s a picture of her smiling as she dances with a man I’m assuming is her father.

“Me and my dad at his wedding to my stepmom a couple of years ago. And you’re right. It’s a moment I like to be reminded of here and there, but not one I could stare at forever.” Sheunlocks the screen, revealing a gorgeous shot of Birch Lake taken from her family’s campground.

“That’s beautiful. I’d love to go back sometime.” I stop myself from saying anything else. If I think too hard about it, my throat will close up with emotion, and I want this morning to stay fun.

She elbows me. “Play your cards right and you might get an invitation.”

Then she takes a bite of her sandwich and lets out a satisfied groan. “This is amazing. I’m going to be very poor since I’ll need to drive here for breakfast every day now.”

I chuckle at that. “No lobster, but I was hoping you’d still enjoy it.”

She looks at her sandwich like she’s going to take another bite, but then rests her hand over mine. “Thank you for bringing me here. It’s a cute date spot, but more than that, it feels like you’re showing me a little piece of you.”

“Does that mean we’re spending the rest of the day together? So I can show you more pieces of me?” I frown as soon as the words are out of my mouth. “That was more suggestive than I intended.”

“Mhm. Sure.” Her eyes dance, and she takes a big bite of her sandwich while staring out at the view. She’s a breathtaking mixture of beautiful and adorable, but there’s something abouther.Her energy, her heart, I have no idea what… but it sucks me in more the longer I spend with her.

She wipes her mouth and turns back to me, her alluring eyes on me and her voice low when she speaks. “For the record, this date was never just going to be brunch. Unless you turned out to be an asshole. Then I would’ve let Robbie kick your ass.”

“Already sure I’m not a jerk, huh?”

“No question. I haven’t always been the best judge, but with you, it’s obvious. Your character shines through. And the more Isee, the more I want to know. So give me the all-day date. I’m in. No complaints.”

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