Page 63 of How Sweet It Is

LEVI BARRETT — SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

My chest constricts as we walk outside. My hand itches to find Amelia’s. Or Claire’s. Whoever she is, she’s got my stomach in knots like I’m a teenager again.

I’m trying not to be bothered by the fact that she’s lying to me. I know her well enough now that I believe she wouldn’t do it for frivolous reasons. Which means whatever is going on is serious, although the fact that Rafe is no longer trailing her is a good sign.

I put my helmet on and swing my leg over my motorcycle. “How was your first pottery-throwing experience?”

“I actually enjoyed it,” she says as she climbs on behind me. “I never saw myself as creative, but I’d go do that again. I can’t wait until they’re fired and we can glaze them.”

I grin at her. “Then we’ll come back once they’re dry. Instant non-date.” I don’t tell her I should have my car by then. I’m keeping that little surprise to myself.

“I’ll mark my calendar.” She wraps her arms around me, and I kick my motorcycle to life.

I’m not ready to give this up just yet, even though I’m exhausted. I have no idea if Amelia will push me away tomorrow, so I’m going to keep her with me as long as I can. I drive back across the bridge to Willow Shade and park my motorcycle next to the beach just as the sun sets into twilight. I take my helmet off. “Want to watch the stars appear?”

She hesitates only a second. “Okay.”

We climb off my bike and put away our helmets. I point up the beach. “Let’s find a good spot to stargaze.”

“All right, but I’m taking off my shoes.”

“Good idea.” We slip out of our shoes and socks before placing them in my saddlebag. I become bold and slide my fingers through hers. She doesn’t pull away.

We walk along the sand in silence, her hand warm in mine. The last pink streaks of daylight are fading, leaving the sky soft and blue. I spot a place halfway up the beach near the dunes, far enough from the tide but close enough to hear the soothing sounds of the waves washing against the sand.

“Over there.” I tug her gently. It feels good to walk barefoot.

We reach the spot I indicated, and she sits down, folding her legs under her. I drop beside her and stretch out, using my arm as a pillow behind my head. She stays sitting for a beat longer before lowering herself beside me.

The sand’s still warm beneath us. I roll to my side so I can look at her. She matches my pose, her gaze catching on mine. A breeze lifts her hair and brushes it against my cheek. She smells like clay and salt and something sweet, like cinnamon, maybe. Or maybe that’s just her.

She takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “This is nice,” she says softly.

“Mm,” I say in agreement. I trace her cheek with my finger before I lie back down to look at the sky. My eyes are already heavy. I’ve been running on fumes all day, but I’m not ready tolet go of this night. Not with her beside me. She lies back, too, and I shift so our shoulders are touching.

“I don’t think I’ve done this since I was a kid,” she says softly. “Lying down, just… watching the sky.”

“There’s something wonderful about nature, isn’t there?”

“Yes.”

My fingers find hers, the warmth of her skin sending an electric current through me. Her breath hitches a little, like maybe she wasn’t expecting me to take her hand again.

I glance at her. The sky’s dimming into a navy canvas, the first stars peeking through. I know I should let the conversation stay light, weather and stars and playful flirtation, but I can’t. Not when everything in me wants to know the truth. Not when I can feel her moving closer to me yet still holding back.

“Amelia…” I turn my head toward her. “Or should I say Claire?” I say quietly.

Her body tenses beside me.

I gently squeeze her hand in a silent reassurance. “I’m not mad. I’m not accusing you of anything. I just… I want you to know you can trust me.”

Her lips part, but no sound comes out.

I take a slow breath. “We both know Rafe isn’t your cousin. You’ve all but admitted it to me. I know he was here to protect you. I just don’t know from what. And now he’s gone. I figure that means whatever danger you were in, maybe it’s over.”

She doesn’t speak. The waves fill the silence between us.

“You don’t have to tell me everything,” I say, softer now. “I get that you’re scared. But I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t feel like there’s a wall between us.”

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