Page 91 of Someday You Learn

“Got room for one more in there?”

She looks at me, confused. “Um, sure.”

I slide in behind her and prop my head up so I can look at her.

“Why are you in here?” she asks, looking up at me.

“Because I want to wake up next to you.”

Her eyes fill with hope. “Oh.”

I lean down and press my mouth to hers. “Yeah, oh. Now go to sleep, woman.”

Thesmile she gives me this time is far more reassuring than the last one. She shifts closer, and I wrap my arm around her waist, holding her against me. I fall asleep with the woman I’m finally ready to let in, even as the one from my past haunts my dreams.

***

I reach up and wipe the tartar sauce from my lips, watching Cashlynn with fascination as she takes another bite of her crab cakes, closing her eyes and moaning in approval.

“I told you they’re the best,” I say with a grin.

“I can’t believe I haven’t been out here yet.” She glances out toward the water that surrounds us. We’re sitting at a table outside of Franny’s Crab Shack on the pier as people bustle around us. This place is a Carrington Cove hotspot. “But I’ll be coming back at least once a week.”

“I think we could make that happen.” I reach for my drink and take a sip.

Cashlynn finishes chewing and then reaches for my hand. “Thank you again for tonight, Parker. I have to say it was a pleasant surprise.”

I lift her hand, brushing a kiss to the back of it. “Well, I think it was about time I took you on a proper date. And after letting you down last night, I wanted to make it up to you.”

Her eyes dip to her plate, and her smile falters slightly. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted.”

“Hey.” I tip her chin up until her eyes meet mine. “You have nothing to apologize for, Cashlynn. I’m the one who fucked up. I’m the one who didn’t communicate and made you question things, okay? That is on me.”

Herlips twitch into a slow smile. “Okay.”

Releasing her chin, I grab my napkin and crumple it up, tossing it into my empty basket. “The night isn’t over yet. When you’re done, we have another stop to make.”

Cashlynn shoves the last bite of her crabcake into her mouth and hands me her basket. “I’m done,” she mumbles around her mouthful of food, making me laugh.

“Don’t choke.” I reach for her hand to help her up from her seat, watching her swallow roughly.

“I’m good. Now, where are you taking me?”

With her hand secured in mine, we head back down the pier toward the sand where I motion for her to take off her sandals. I carry them and mine in my free hand. The feel of the cold sand between my toes instantly calms me, something I’d almost forgotten it has the ability to.

“Well, it’s almost sunset, so I figured we could watch it together from the beach. How does that sound?”

She pushes her hair from her face as the wind whips it around. “That sounds amazing.”

We stroll slowly, taking in the sound and smell of the water before Cashlynn breaks the silence. “If I lived here, I’d be down by the water every chance I got.”

“Uh, newsflash, Cashlynn. Youdolive here now.”

She presses a palm to her face. “Oh God. That just came out like a bad habit. You’re right. This is home now.”

“Are you second-guessing that decision?”

She shakes her head instantly. “No. Not at all. In fact, I’ve never felt more sure of anything in my entire life.”

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