Page 66 of Unforgettable

“I am enjoying the day,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

“If I’m only getting a kiss on the cheek, maybe you really aren’t enjoying the day,” he jokes.

Laughing, I backhand his chest. “Stop trying to get into my pants, Oswald.”

He lowers his mouth to my ear and whispers seductively, “Prepare yourself, because I’m only getting started.”

16

Oz

Reeve is walking on air.

It’s been hours, and I don’t know if it’s the bike ride, the weather, or just us being together, but I want him to feel like this always.

The smile on his face is big and beautiful and so damn contagious. And, not for the first time today, I look at him, wanting nothing more than to press my lips to his and let myself be absolutely consumed by him.

If I thought all the times before this where we enforced the no touching rule was hard, I was grossly mistaken. Because being in public, seeing Reeve so happy, and not being able to claim him as mine in front of everyone is most definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

The only consolation is that Reeve is struggling too. And even though he’s smiling and happy, the lust and longing in his eyes haven’t gone unnoticed.

I’m not sure what’s worse, really, wanting one another or denying ourselves. The only thing I know for certain is, he doesn’t want to be the first one to break. And that’s probably the reason we are literally sitting about six feet apart, with a whole collection of full burlap bags in between us.

We’re finally sitting down after visiting almost every stall set up at today’s market, where Reeve insisted on trying and buying almost everything in sight.

“You’re here all summer,” I say to him. “Some of these vendors are regulars, you can come back any time to grab some of this stuff.”

Leaning back on his elbows, he looks up to the sky as the sun shines down on us. “I can’t help it. Sometimes I’m an impulse buyer. Don’t judge me, Oswald.”

“When will you stop calling me that?” I complain.

“Well.” He pauses and then turns to look at me. “When I say it, I think of your dad, and when I think of your dad, the need to have sex withyoureduces to a bearable level.”

Completely thrown off by his response, an unrestrained laugh rises from deep in my stomach. “Are you kidding me right now?” I ask.

He smiles knowingly. “Absolutely not.”

I pretend to be deep in thought while counting on my fingers. “You’ve called me Oswald at least ten times today.”

He shrugs. “Not going to lie, it’s probably going to happen another ten times.”

His confession settles over the both of us as we sit in a comfortable silence, people watching the crowd around us.

“So, I was thinking,” Reeve starts. “Would you ever consider showcasing local produce on Meals and Melodies? Expanding beyond already cooked foods?”

His interest for M and M has never waned, and it’s evident he wants what is best for me, and that makes me even more sure that he’s the right person to open up to about what is next for Meals and Melodies.

“It’s actually funny you mention that,” I say nervously. “I’ve been thinking of ways to kind of take it to the next level. Maybe make money off it or a career out of it.”

Reeve sits up, excitement written all over his face. “Are you serious? Something you would tell your parents about?”

Only he would know that this specific question is the way to verify how serious I actually am. When I respond with a nod, he practically bounces on the spot. He pushes through the barrier of bags between us and climbs onto my lap.

With a hand on either side of my cheeks, he keeps my face in place and his hold on me tight. “I’m so happy for you right now,” he exclaims with so much sincerity it makes me want to cry.

I wrap my hands around his wrists. “Idon’t even know if it will do well.”

“Besides the fact that it will,” he says confidently. “It’s not the point. You’re taking a chance. You’re standing up for yourself and showing everyone that you’re doing what you want to do. That right there is the takeaway, Oz.”

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