Page 36 of The Perfect Love

Chelsea

I’m not sure if our date is exactly what I was expecting or not what I was expecting at all, but it’s been perfect. Sure, we’ve only made one stop, but it’s the way Trevor cracks himself open with every little thing he does. He’s so genuine that I have to constantly let my gut override my nagging brain.No one is this perfect. It’s an act.But what does he have to gain by going through all this? Who would want to deal with all my baggage—even if he doesn’t know it all yet?

I think he’s just a good guy, and it’s important to remind myself those still exist. My father is one. Robbie is one. Trevor is one too.

He’s been understanding of every condition I set. He’s not pushy. He wants to get to know me beyond the surface level. That alone is scary because it means harder conversations are coming. As much as I don’t want to relive what I’ve been through, I also don’t want it hanging over me. I carry enough shame about that day. I’m tired of holding on to it.

Since brunch, we’ve been taking a drive around the lake, stopping at the many pull-offs and enjoying the views. Our conversations have been light—mostly about music, movies, TV shows, or books.

Trevor pulls into the large park at the base of the lake, and since it’s a Saturday and the weather is fantastic, it’s already filled with people.

“So, you said no secluded picnics or hiking, but I figured a busy park right next to the police station”—he nods to the small strip of blacktop connecting the park to the sheriff’s station—“would be okay.”

“It’s great. Thank you.”

“Thank you for letting me steal you for an entire day. Ready for part two of our date?”

“How many parts are there?”

“Four to five depending on how strictly we define parts.”

I can’t help but smile. He’s so ridiculous and sweet, and I kind of want to pinch myself to make sure this is real.

“We better get going, then.”

I swing my door open and climb out, but he goes around the back of the car and pulls a bag and a blanket from the trunk.

When he gets to me, he grabs my hand, and my stomach whirls. There’s something about him. He brings out a different side of me. I keep thinking it’s the “old” me, but now I’m not so sure. This is something else. Something more. I’m lighter. Almost awestruck. The rest of the world slips away, and even if it’s only for a moment, I see the world with childlike wonder.

Then he touches me or smiles at me and it’s an electric jolt to my heart, jumpstarting parts of me I thought were dead.

He leads me to a shaded area that overlooks a pond with a fountain in the center. It’s beautiful and serene, even with plenty of people sitting around it.

He sets out the blanket, and we both sit down. I’m still staring around at the expansive park while Trevor unloads snacks from the grocery bag he brought.

“Hopefully this isn’t too much nature for you.”

My gaze snaps to his. “Too much—”Oh shit.My cheeks heat, but he just laughs and keeps pulling snacks out of the bag. “I—I mean—”

“It’s fine. I assumed that was a lie since you told me how much fun you had working at your family’s campground every summer. For the record, you don’t have to lie to me. If there’s ever something you’re not comfortable talking about or not ready to tell me, you can just say that. I’ll respect any boundaries you give me.”

“Thank you. And thank you for letting me get away with such a stupid lie. I’m not always great at thinking on my feet, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting… this.”

“A picnic?” His eyes are still dancing.

“No.” I drag my finger between the two of us. “This. Us. You. I’ve spent the last year feeling the least like myself I ever have. Then I moved here, and I was surprised to feel like I was finding the old version of me—pieces of her, at least—then I met you and it both centered those pieces of me and knocked me on my ass. When I’m with you, things come so naturally that I forget the rest of the world. Then something forces me to remember it and it’s like I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. And I know none of this makes any sense—”

“It does. Believe me, I get it. I guess that’s why…” He sighs and flips his hand through his hair, ruffling it up in the cutest way. “It’s why I want to make you comfortable and I want you to know you’re safe because the rest of the world isn’t that way. But here, with me, it can be. I want to see that vibrant side of you because it’s the part I can’t stop falling for.”

I stare at him for a moment, then shake my head andlaugh. “You know we’re ridiculous, right?”

He laughs too. “Absolutely. But that just makes me like it more. Life’s too short to always be stuck in the hard or serious stuff.”

“Agreed. Thank you for bringing that out in me.” I look down for a second.

He pauses and looks at me with a childlike expression. “Anything to see that smile.”

And, ugh.Swoon. He’s so… dreamy. Which makes me feel like I’m in a ’90s rom-com, but when I’m with him, I think I am.

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