Page 83 of The Two Last Moments

While she’s studying a plant with spikes all over its stem, I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her earlobe.

I’ve never had anyone who means what Lark does to me. Every other relationship I’ve had has been light and easy. But I don’t want that with Lark. With her, I’m all-in for the complications, so long as we’re focused on the present and our future. I’ve decided nothing else exists.

“Danny,” she says quietly, “I should tell you something. When you were talking with Nina and Starla earlier, I called Cam.”

“Oh, yeah?” I say, extremely nonchalant. I gave Lark her ex-boyfriend’s number a few days ago, and I knew she had programmed it into her phone.

But Cam is one of thosepast thingsI’d much rather bury.

I reach around her to link our fingers, rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb.

“I wanted to ask him about what Rex told us,” she says. “My volunteer work for that clinic where Travis was a patient. Cam said he didn’t know anything about it. Another secret I was keeping from him, I guess. It’s not that important, but I wanted you to know I spoke to him.” She turns her head to look up at me. “I don’t have secrets from you.”

I lift my hand to cup her cheek. “I know, baby. It’s okay.”

“I don’t want to be the person I was before.”

My shoulders tense at the fresh reminder of the Bennett Security report. I refuse to believe that Lark would steal from some helpless person. And if she kept secrets from Cam, she had reasons.None of it matters.

“I don’t want to be the same guy I was before, either. You make me better.” I lean forward to capture her lips. We kiss for a little while in the courtyard, surrounded by sweet-smelling flowers and trees heavy with fruit.

For dinner, I’ve got a reservation at the hotel’s beachside restaurant here. Our table is outside on the patio overlooking the water. We’re there just in time for sunset, which Itotallyplanned. Turns out I’m a natural at this romance thing. We sit next to each other at the tiny table, arms and thighs pressed together, as we sip champagne and order too many courses. I want to memorize Lark’s expressions as she tastes each dish, her moans and gasps of surprise.

We order red wine with our entrees and another round of bubbly with dessert. Lark’s cheeks bloom with pink, and as the sky darkens, fairy lights illuminate on the patio, reflecting in her eyes.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said last week. That you want to get a job?” We’re sipping the last of our champagne. A jazz trio is playing over in the bar, and the soft strains of music drift over us.

“And you said no.”

“I said we’d discuss it.”

“Even though it’s my life and my decision?” She tilts her head sardonically.

“What I’mtryingto say is, if you really want to work for the Shelbornes’ catering company, we can figure out a way to make it happen. My top priority is that you’re safe. But Aiden would be around, obviously. He’d look out for you.”

“You’re okay with Aiden looking out for me? Assuming I can’t do it myself?”

“We made our peace.”

Lark smothers a laugh and leans over for a quick kiss. “Quinn said she could set me up with a lawyer to figure out my documents and legal status.”

“There’s a way to make it work. I have no doubt about that. But I also think you should consider going back to school. You should take the time to figure out what you really want to do.” Twenty-four years old might not be too young compared to thirty-three, but it’s still young. I want her to have every option.

She bites her lip and looks out at the ocean. “Maybe. I might like to do something related to plants. Like studying how they fit into their environments. That would be amazing. But how could I afford it? I have no savings that I know of.Nothing.”

“We can figure that part out, too. I’ll help you.” I’m still determined not to take my father’s handouts, and the salary of a firefighter isn’t much to speak of. But if it’s for Lark’s benefit, then I would consider asking my dad for a loan.

I’d do just about anything for her.

“Danny, I can’t—”

“Nope. I can be just as stubborn as my grandmother when I want to be.”

She leans her shoulder into mine, our foreheads touching. “How did I get lucky enough to find you?”

“Funny, that’s what I’ve been asking myself since we met.”

“I want to deserve you,” she whispers.

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