Page 118 of Side Trip

Her arms twine around his neck and fingers weave into his hair. He feels like he’s wrapped up in heaven.

“How’d it go?” she asks when he breaks the kiss. She hands him the beer she had waiting for him.

“Great.” He takes a deep drink of ale, quenching a throat parched from wheeling and dealing.

“Think Skylar will sign with Westfield?”

“Know so. Chase is on the phone with Legal as we speak. They’re drawing up the offer.”

“That’s fantastic.” She lifts her red Solo Cup to his and Dylan feels himself smiling.

The trip overseas has been advantageous for Westfield Records, more so than he anticipated. It’s also been enlightening. He’s discovered a whole different side to himself, a side he’s more at ease and peace with. He stopped fighting what he thought he didn’t want or couldn’t have.

He can’t wait for Joy to meet Billie. He can’t wait to bring her home. He hasn’t asked yet, but he wants her to live with him in Santa Monica. And if she thinks his two-bedroom condo is too small, no problem. He’ll sell Jack’s Malibu pad and buy a house on the beach. Joy can surf each morning and they can watch the sun set over the Pacific from their back deck every evening.

Joy’s eyes sparkle when she catches him watching her. “What?”

Dylan shakes his head with a smile. “Nothing. Just thinking about home.”

“Miss it?”

“Now that I know you’ll be there with me? Big-time.”

She sets aside her beer. “I’ve been thinking.”

Dylan arches a brow over his cup rim. He lets a mouthful of ale slide down his throat, then sets his cup beside hers.

“We need a new deal.”

“We do?” He nuzzles her neck. Nibbles her earlobe.

She nods. “How does this sound? We don’t make promises that we shouldn’t keep.”

He lifts his head and hums positively. “Agreed. Can I add to it?” He tucks a wisp of hair behind her ear. When she nods, he says, “We own our mistakes and never regret an opportunity missed.”

“That’s a good one. Makes me think of something else someone once told me.” She hooks a finger in his belt loop and tugs. He fits himself between her legs and she lifts her face. “We live our best life.”

“Absolutely, so long as we get to enjoy the side trips along the way.”

“Side trips are the best when they’re with you.”

He couldn’t agree more. He lowers his mouth to hers. “Dance with me, Joy,” he murmurs against her lips.

“Only if you’ll sing to me.”

He kisses her. “Always.”

JOYRIDE

I knew a girl once

Away from home.

She’s coming undone

Heading east from the sun.

She’s been on the run.

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