Page 106 of Stealing Sunshine

“I’m always curious. I just don’t like to overwhelm you with my questions,” I admit a bit sheepishly.

The phone in my hands grows heavier when I notice the playlist title on the left side of the screen.My Sunshine.

Unable to help myself, I open it up and find the same list of songs that were scrawled on a piece of notebook paper and slipped beneath my door last week.

My heart swells and aches, beating so fast I have to take five slow breaths to keep it from exploding.

I haven’t mentioned the playlist to Bryce because, truth be told, I didn’t want to only see it on a slip of paper. It’s supposed to bemorethan that, important. I want to listen to them together.

“My extended family lives mostly in Quebec. I’ve never been that close to them, and I don’t overly want to be. They’re stick-up-the-ass, judgmental rich people. As for the size, I have three uncles, a great-aunt, and three male cousins,” she says.

I snap my attention from the phone to her, hoping I’m not as red as I feel. “I’m sorry they’re like that.”

“Don’t be. I found another family here that’s everything they could never be. I’m content with that.”

“Sometimes found family can be everything a blood family never could,” I agree.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Speaking of.” She sets a hand on my thigh and pulls it flush to the console between us. “The place I’m taking you is owned by someone important to me.”

For the first time since we left the school, I look out the window and take in our surroundings. Crispy, orange trees and yellow fields surround either side of the single-lane highway. Cherry Peak waves goodbye in the side mirror.

“And it’s not in Cherry Peak?”

She smiles, letting her head rest against the back of the seat. “No. We’re going on a little bit of a drive, Sunshine.”

32

BRYCE

Maybe I should have warnedher that we’d be taking a bit of a road trip, but then I’d have missed out on seeing her nearly climbing the window for a glimpse of where we’re going.

I’m fucking greedy with her time. I already know that. After a day at work, she should be home relaxing instead of trapped in a car with me. Knowing that doesn’t mean a damn thing to me, though. I’m taking as much time with her as I can possibly get.

“I’m seriously so excited right now. Are you sure you can’t give me a hint about where we’re going?” she asks, smacking her knees in quick procession.

When I make the final turn and spot the shop up ahead, I decide it’s safe to tell her.

“My found family expands a bit outside of Cherry Peak. I don’t remember what fucked-up decision drove me to this place, but it . . . It’s where I found myself. Shade was the one who shoved my first tattoo gun in my hand when I was eighteen and told me to ink him up. I think the stupid asshole enjoyed the sloppy work. Didn’t even wince when I gouged too deep and had him bleeding all over himself.”

Her head flies in my direction. “Wait, we’re going to a tattoo shop? Is this the same place you got your first tattoo?”

“No. Shade would have kicked my ass out on the street with Wade’s signature ripped at my feet. This place is the real deal. One of the most popular tattoo studios in the province.”

Into The Shade is the only proper tattoo shop for hours. People drive up to eight hours just to get his work on their skin. I’d drive even further. Apart from my very first tattoo, he’s the only artist other than myself who’s ever put a needle to my skin.

Daisy gawks out the windshield as we pull up outside the shop. The neon sign is off, but he’s inside. For a thirty-two-year-old guy, he’s got the most boring fucking life. No wife or kids or pets. Just him, this studio, and his otherworldly talent.

“I wouldn’t have thought this place would have been here. Where even are we?”

“Oak Point.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Nobody has. Not unless you were born here.” I turn off the car and palm the keys. “Come on. I want to introduce you to him.”

She quickly unclicks her seat belt and, before I can do the same, leans over and grabs my face. I’m not expecting the peck she lays on my lips. It leaves me tingling and craving more when she flops back into her seat and opens the door.

“What was that for?” I call as she steps out.

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