Page 37 of Dial A for Aunties

I don’t wait for him to finish speaking. I reach up, still pulling him down, and let our mouths meet in a fervent kiss.

14

The kiss sears through my skin, singeing my flesh, reaching deep into my memories, reminding me of the heat of our romance. In the space of a few seconds, I taste those college days once more—the Diddy Riese cookies we used to share with Selena at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday, the scent of hookah smoke as we walked down Broxton Ave holding hands, the feel of his hand cupped firmly round my waist, sending hot waves running through my entire body. The way he made me laugh, a full-on, no-holds-barred belly laugh, and then how he’d climb on top of me and kiss me fully, with his entire being, his skin against mine—

By the time we break apart we’re both breathless. I look at his face, and I know he’s thinking of our UCLA days as well.

“Meddy,” he whispers, leaning in again, catching my mouth with his. So soft, and warm. New and yet achingly familiar. “God, how I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” My voice catches with emotion. I have. So much.

He takes both of my hands in his, gazing down at me with his beautiful eyes. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I saw you this morning.” He sighs. “Ever since UCLA, I’ve wondered what happened with us. I’ve always wanted to reach out to you, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to talk to me—I mean, what happened back then?”

My stomach twists. “It’s hard to explain.”

“I know. I got the feeling, especially when I found out you never told your mom about us.”

I cringe. It must’ve been quite a blow to discover that your girlfriend of three years never told her family about you. And for him to find out today, of all days... I am such a shit. “I’m sorry, I—it’s complicated.”

The dimples appear again. “I get it. Families often are. Honestly, I thought I’d be more upset about it, but seeing you after all these years...”

Relief surges through my chest. He’s not upset about it! God, how is he this amazing? “I know.”

“I—”

“Hey!” someone shouts from afar.

We break apart as if we’re guilty teenagers. A middle-aged man with the world’s bushiest mustache is climbing up the hill toward the resort. Halfway up, he pauses for breath, fanning himself with a piece of paper. When he finally gets to us, his face is tomato red.

“You—” he gasps.

“Hi, Sheriff,” Nathan says. “Can I help you with something?”

Sheriff? I freeze. My insides have turned to stone.

“You can’t—can’t do this here!” the sheriff says.

“Do what?”

The sheriff straightens up, still catching his breath. “This large brouhaha the hotel is holding. Do you have the right permit forit? I doubt you do, because I sure as hell didn’t sign one. And there’s a storm coming, supposed to hit us later today. I don’t think you should let this party go on.”

Despite the weirdness of the situation, Nathan seems completely at ease. “Come on, Sheriff McConnell. It’s a wedding, and I’ve got permits from the mainland to hold large functions here. It’s all legit. I’ll have someone come by and show you the papers. And yes, we’re prepared for the storm if it does hit us. We’ll get everyone inside. It’ll all be okay.”

“Mainland,” the sheriff spits. “You mainland people think you’re better than the rest of us. I’ll be back, just you wait. You and your mainland permits.” He strides away, muttering angrily to himself. I release my breath.

Nathan must have noticed how pale I look because he says, “Are you okay?”

I’m about to reply when Fourth Aunt calls out, “Oh, you kids are still here!”

“Done with the pictures?” Nathan says, cheerily.

“Yep.” Fourth Aunt whispers to Nathan when she reaches us, “I think Mr. Sutopo is pretty tired. Might wanna get him to his room now.”

Nathan nods and hurries back to where Mr. and Mrs. Sutopo are standing. Halfway there, he pauses and says, “I’ll call a buggy down for you. That cooler’s heavy.”

“Don’t worry about us,” I babble, “we’ll be fine. You go.”

Nathan nods at me and gives me one last smile before going. We stand there, waving at them as they drive away. I turn to see Fourth Aunt smiling slyly at me.

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