Page 195 of Divine Obsession

We found a spot on the great lawn, where dozens of people had already settled in for the late afternoon outdoor movie screening.

“This is perfect,” Natalia declared, setting down the scarf with the authority of someone who’d done this a million times.

I watched her work with a faint smile, her lips pouting in concentration as she smoothed the scarf out and then took off her Manolo Blahnik heeled sandals.

Lowering myself onto the fabric beside her, I leaned back on my elbows. “This has become our thing, huh?”

She glanced over at me, her brown eyes warm and soft. “What, Central Park movies? You’re lucky I let you tag along.”

I chuckled, reaching for the takeout bag to hand her the sushi and chopsticks. “Mhm. If you were so picky, you wouldn’t have invited me.”

“Who said I invited you?” Her laughter mingled with the soft sounds of the park – the rustling of leaves, the distant murmur of conversations, the crinkle of picnic blankets being laid out.

“How’s Maria doing, by the way?”

“Really good. The better Zach gets, the better she gets too. I’m just happy they’re happy, you know?”

“Of course.” The screen flickered to life, casting a golden glow over the lawn. I leaned a little closer to her. “So, what movie is it tonight,amai?”

“The Wedding Planner,” She replied, her voice carrying a touch of excitement that made me smile.

“Ah,” I said, nodding. “A classic. Good pick.”

“You’re not just saying that?” She asked, raising a soft brow.

I held up a hand in mock defense. “Kali made me watch everything Jennifer Lopez was in when we were kids. Plus, I’m all in for anything that lets me spend time with you.”

Her cheeks flushed pink faintly, and she turned back toward the screen, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re getting good at this, Trevor.”

“At being your boyfriend? Yeah, I know. I’m the best.”

She laughed, leaning softly into my side.

The movie started, the opening credits rolling across the giant screen, and we ate in comfortable silence, the world narrowing to the warmth of the evening and the glow of the screen.

As she leaned back slightly, I found myself watching her more than the movie. There was something about the way she looked so at ease, the way she claimed the space around her with quiet confidence. It was rare for either of us to have a moment like this, away from all the responsibilities, and just be together.

Natalia caught me looking. “What?”

I shrugged, pulling her closer. “Just thinking this might be my favorite kind of summer night.”

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, the world outside Central Park didn’t matter.

It was just us.

Two people sharing a scarf under the sunset.

Letting New York City fade into the distance.

Chapter 51

Present

Zach’s penthouse was gorgeous. Floor-to-ceiling windows a view of Manhattan far below. The couch we lounged on was soft enough to swallow you whole, and the faint hum of the penthouse’s heating system made the world outside feel impossibly distant.

“It’s a nice place.”

Maria stretched lazily, smiling. “Zach keeps saying I should redecorate if I want. Can you imagine?”

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