Page 24 of Just Watch Me

“Tease.”

“I’m just eating ice cream, J. Not my fault your mind is in the gutter.” He continued to my car.

I sighed and followed. We hadn’t done anything since the phone sex two weeks ago, but that hadn’t stopped me from thinking about it a million times a day. Each time I talked myself into inviting him over to fuck me senseless, I talked myself out of it. Being a risk-averse, responsible guy was boring as hell.

“You still haven’t said where we’re going.” Skylar smirked at me when I climbed into the car.

Brat.He knew the effect he had on me. “I was thinking we could head up to Seaside—it’s a fun touristy town—then head back to Portland. Or we could go farther north to Astoria and do someGooniessightseeing.”

“Heyyyy youuuu guyssssss!”

I laughed at Skylar’s perfect impression of Sloth. “I take it that’s a thumbs-up on theGooniestour?”

Skylar buckled in then used his free hand to tap on his phone. “I’m already pulling up a self-guided tour of filming locations. Ooh, can we swing by Ecola State Park on the way?”

I grinned at him. “Of course.”

We stopped at the park and took selfies in front of the incredible view, perched between bright-blue skies and crashing waves below. If we had more time, I would’ve suggested we make the hike through the forest to the beach. Frankly, we were both too excited aboutGooniesshenanigans for me to even suggest it.Next time.

“Look, that’s the house!” Skylar shouted when he navigated me to a filming location.

I parked on the hill in Astoria a few houses from the main one in the movie.

Skylar took several photos of it. “We should watch the movie tomorrow when we make dinner.”

“It’s a date,” I said without meaning to.

Skylar’s mouth curved into a slow grin. “It is.” He stared at me a moment longer before getting out and walking toward the house. He stopped near the end of the driveway.

“Want to get some photos?”

“I don’t think I want to get any closer since it’s private property. They probably get sick and tired of people tramping all over the place,” he said.

Sexy, funny, brilliant, and thoughtful, the perfect combination. “How about I take your photo with the house in the background?”

“Yeah? Thanks.” Skylar did a few poses and a hilarious truffle shuffle, though it didn’t have the same impact when performed by a guy with defined abs. But I wasn’t complaining.

He reached for my hand and pulled me close. “Selfie time. Smile big.”

I didn’t even have to try because my smiles had been huge all day.

After we drove by a few more landmarks, we went to the main strip of downtown Astoria while reciting lines from the movie. I loved nerding out with someone.With him.

We visited the aquarium, and somehow, Skylar got me to touch a starfish. The man was magic. Then we bought an enormous mixed bag of saltwater taffy and tried to find our favorite flavors through thorough taste testing. The afternoon flew by in his company.

“Want to check out some shops then grab dinner?”

“I don’t know if I have room for any more food.” I patted my belly.

Skylar shook his head. “We’re at the coast and have to have clam chowder. Come on, wimp.”

“Imagine that. I found some room.”

“Mmhmm, that’s what I thought.”

He detoured into a touristy shop with windows filled with kites,Gooniesmerch, and shirts with silly sayings. He got into a conversation about crabbing with the shop owner while I perused the knickknacks.

I spotted aGoonieskeychain and had to buy it. I knew Skylar liked to keep his belongings to a minimum since he moved around so much, but he always had a key. While his attention was elsewhere, I waited in line to check out. With the free moment, I checked my phone and saw a text from my mom.

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