Page 90 of Play Pretend

“I don’t,” Ronan said softly. “Willow filled me in on her father. Honestly, I think you both sound far too nice.”

Mom chuckled. “I think I like you,” she said, wagging her finger in front of the camera. “You might be a keeper.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I’ll be with her the whole time.” His eyes slid to meet mine. “I’ll take care of her.”

A moment passed between us. It was fleeting and over far too soon, but I felt it. Did he? Hehadto have felt it. It settled over us like a warm blanket, a comfort around my heart. It couldn’t just be me, could it?

My mom and Ronan chatted for a few more minutes, then I made an excuse to get off the phone, otherwise the conversation would never end. Ronan watched as I slid my phone into my purse, the quilted pattern multicolored and faded.

“Should we take a photo?” he asked, and the question caught me so off guard all I could do was stare at him.

“A photo?”

“For proof.” He shrugged one shoulder. “Since you said this was our first date, we could take a photo and show them. Proof.”

I glanced around the empty beach. Seagulls squawked overhead, and the waves lapped against the shore. Damp sand stuck to my jeans, and salty air whipped around my face. The day was warm and sunny, and the sun shone brightly on us.

It was a perfect day.

Was this a date?

“That’s a good idea.” I nodded a few times, rolling my lips between my teeth. He lifted his phone and leaned against me. His face was close—too close. My breath caught in my chest as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me even closer.

“Smile,” he teased. My lips wobbled as I stretched them into a bright smile, and he mimicked the movement as he snapped a picture.

I stared at the photo, and all I could think about was how good we looked together. We slotted into each other, his jagged edges fitting perfectly into mine.

“Trinity invited us to karaoke night,” he said, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Gracie and I went to karaoke night once.” I laughed at the memories. “It was so fun, but I got so drunk.” He grinned.

“More drunk than trivia night?”

“Oh, way more drunk.” I rested my hands behind me in the sand as I reclined. “I’d love to go. What’s your go-to karaoke song?”

He snorted. “I don’t sing.”

I gasped. “That’s a crime against karaoke. Youhaveto sing.” He shook his head, a grin on his face.

“I don’t sing,” he repeated. “But I’ll watch you.”

“I can’t do it without Gracie.” I sighed. “We sing a duet.”

“Invite her. She’s your best friend.”

My smile slowly faded. “I know she used to date your brother,” I muttered. “It won’t be awkward to hang out with her?”

His lips pressed tightly together. “What happened between her and Adam is their business. I always liked Gracie. She was a sweet girl.”

“She still is. She’s the best person I’ve ever met.”

A few moments passed before Ronan nudged me with his shoulder again. He sat with his legs bent, his arms resting on his knees. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

He glanced over his shoulder, and I followed his gaze to the lighthouse overlooking the beach. “Why do you like the lighthouse so much?” he murmured. “You’ve loved it since you first moved here. Remember when you asked me if I’d ever seen it?”

I huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, I didn’t know you’d grown up here at the time.” Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair, gently detangling it. “I don't understand my obsession with it.” The admission was quiet, but I knew he’d heard me. “When I saw it for the first time, it felt…right. Almost like I was home. I know it sounds ridiculous, but that was how I decided to move here. And then I learned more about the history, and about the widow?—”

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