Page 151 of Frozen Flames

“Thank you.” I beam, digging in. I was too nervous this morning to eat, and now that it’s well into the afternoon, I’m starving.

We talk about our summer plans and his longer work hours. I also bring up Mrs. Kent and how he’s the complication.

“That complication should do something about it. He’d be an idiot to let such an amazing woman go.” He winks, referring to himself.

“I don’t disagree,” I tease, and he laughs, his head thrown back, and it warms my heart to see him in such a good space mentally.

As we finish eating, he dives into telling me about his meeting with Gemma two weeks ago. At first, my heart rate picks up, but as he explains why he decided to meet with her after she texted him, I understand where he’s coming from. A part of me is even relieved that he saw her one last time and decided that he didn’t want her.

“It doesn’t bother you that she’s pregnant?” I wonder, completely shocked by that news.

He snorts. “Of course not. I wanted a little more time afterward to make sure any feelings that came up could be addressed with Dr. Lee. But nothing happened. That’s why I texted you this week. I couldn’t go another week without talking to you. And…I was beginning to worry you’d meet your future husband at a bakery or something,” he jokes.

“Harvey!” I shake my head, and he chuckles. “You know, I think it’s a good thing that you apologized to Gemma.”

“Yeah.” He picks at a piece of wood on the table. “I’m glad I did, to be honest.”

Hours pass and we finish all the food. My head is in his lap as I lounge on the seat of the picnic table, loving the way he cradles my face and looks down at me.

“Lately, I’ve been contemplating where I’m heading, and honestly, I still don’t know what I should be doing with my life.” Harvey snickers. “How can I even know what I want to do or who I want to be?”

“Harv…” I get up from my position and sit next to him, linking my arm through his. “Every year will bring you closer to who you’re meant to be. I truly believe that.”

“Yeah, I get that, but I don’t want to work at a tattoo shop my whole life. Nothing wrong with it. I guess I just expected to do more, artistically and in general.”

“So you will.” I shrug.

He stares into my eyes like they contain the stars of the galaxy. “I feel like I can take over the world with you by my side.”

I blush, leaning my head on his shoulder. “So, then, you will,” I whisper. He kisses my forehead, and we cuddle like that, watching the beautiful horizon.

Life is so precious.

We can sit here and wonder about our future until we turn blue with worry, or we can simply enjoy the moment and admire the sun for the exquisite ball of fire that it is.

If this isn’t life, what is? This is all I’ve ever known to do.

Take it moment by moment.

Breathe it in.

Feel it deeply.

Be it the misery or the magical moments that life evokes.

I pull back from his embrace, and we smile at each other fondly. Then he grabs my jaw and pulls me in closer to him, so close. “We should leave before I do things I shouldn’t.”

“Oh?” I clear my throat, my body heating up with his breath against my skin. “Such as?”

“I want to see you, feel your skin—smell you.” He lets go of my face and leans forward to smell the base of my neck. Then he pushes off the straps of my dress and bra, letting them fall away from my shoulder.

I swallow, looking around to ensure people aren’t staring at us. Luckily, our table is farther away.

I grab his jaw and lift his chin up, kissing all over his neck and down his Adam’s apple, loving the way his soft moan rings in my ears.

I can’t stand being away from him or apart any longer. I don’t know what I’ll do if he tells me he needs more time.

“Harvey…” I mumble, lust pooling between my legs.

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