Page 49 of The Seascape Between Us

“Let’s celebrate,” I blurted, drawing Daniel’s attention away from the photos. He still looked sweet and just a little emotional, but he had himself back in hand. A few minutes ago, he could barely speak, and I wondered if I had done too much. Did he resent me going through his family photos without asking? Had I overstepped? It wouldn’t have been the first time.

Then, he’d looked at me, his eyes soft before he ducked his head, and I knew I got it right. My heart swelled in my chest until it felt like it might burst. I didn’t want the moment to end. I wanted to keep that look on his face for as long as I could.

He shot me a bemused smile, his eyebrows lifting. “Celebrate? What did you have in mind?”

I stepped closer to him. “We could head into Portland. I could take you out for the best dinner you’ve ever had, then we could go back to my loft, where I could keep you in my bed for the rest of the weekend.”

His eyes flared. He liked that last part—and so did I.

He grinned. “You know, you don’t have to impress me. I’m pretty much a sure thing.”

I knew that. Not about him being a sure thing—though the promise was not unwelcome—but not having to impress him, which was a good thing because I had no idea how I would. I could take him to the most expensive restaurants, throw money around and buy him anything he could ever want, and all I'd accomplish would be making him uncomfortable.

Most people, except a handful of close friends like Finn, were far more interested in my money or what I could do for them than me. Daniel didn’t give a shit about my money or my business. Hell, the difference in our incomes was probably my greatest hurdle when it came to convincing him we belonged together. The imbalance made him uncomfortable, as if he wasn’t pulling his weight—which was endlessly frustrating. I wanted to spoil him, take care of him, to wipe away that pinched expression I still saw pulling at his features when he didn’t know I was watching.

All Daniel was interested in was me, which was somehow both warming and terrifying. He worried he wouldn’t be enough for me, but how could he not know that he was everything? I had a lot of money and a successful business, but he was genuinely a good person. He took care of everyone he knew, like family. He supported his community, giving any way he could. Hell, he’d spent most of his day running errands for people who couldn’t get out and cleaning out an old man’s shed.

He never complained, and when I asked why he’d started his Thursday grocery trips, he’d just shrugged and said, “You know how it can be in our community. Not everyone has a family to fall back on, especially as they age. We need to be there for each other.”

I’d just nodded, my throat suddenly tight and sore. What could I even say to that?

“I know, and that just makes me want to do more,” I admitted because it was true. While the photos on the wall were all warm nostalgia, focusing on the good times, I knew Daniel had never had it easy.

I knew his father was an abusive asshole, and his mother had run from him after he’d broken Daniel’s arm. For a moment, I thought of all the times I complained about my own father. Oliver Mackenzie had sure as hell made some questionable decisions as a father, but he’d never put his hands on me, and Daniel had never once told me to stop complaining. That I didn’t have a monopoly on shitty fathers.

No, Daniel just listened and supported. He’d had a happy childhood with his mother and Ramona, but he’d lost them both and been on his own so young. He’d even lost his best friend.

Daniel deserved every good thing, someone who had his back, and by God, I was determined to be the one to give them to him, to be that person for the rest of our lives.

“I want to take you out, spoil you a little. You deserve it.”

He snorted softly and dropped his gaze as if he didn’t quite believe me. I cupped the side of his face and forced him to meet my gaze.

“Let me,” I whispered, lightly brushing my lips along the edge of his jaw. I felt him suck in a breath and grinned.

“You play dirty,” he murmured, but he didn’t back away.

I looked up at him, still grinning. “That’s notallI do dirty.”

He chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Tomorrow’s Friday. Don’t you have to work?”

“I’m taking a day. I’m the boss. I can do that.”

“What about the hotel?” He looked around like he’d forgotten we were the only ones in the building.

“Closed until the opening, remember? If there was ever a time to give ourselves a weekend off, this is it.”

He still looked uncertain, like he wanted to argue or, worse, say no. I cut him off before he could. “Finn can keep an eye on the place, make sure it’s still standing when we get back—or June can. Come on, if anyone has earned a weekend off, it’s you.”

“Okay,” Daniel agreed. “But I want to shower first.”

“Great. Perfect,” I said, hustling him toward the door before he changed his mind. “You shower and pack some things for the weekend. I’ll make a reservation for dinner and text Finn.”

Outside, he stopped and looked back up at the hotel. In the fading light, the changes we’d made weren’t as visible. After all, we hadn’t changed the bones. The foundation had been good. The place had just needed a refresh.

“Thank you,” Daniel said again. “For everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me. We’re in this together, remember?”

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