Page 47 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
“Hi.”
“Your friend Vaughn is nice.”
“Mm-hmm.” He kisses me again, cupping my cheek to pull my mouth to his. My stomach dips. Why is it always like this with him? My body just reacts—without my permission, without any pretense.
“Why’s this your favorite spot?” I ask.
“You can see the stars. You can’t see them in the city.”
I look up. He’s right. The stars are brilliant—glimmering silver and everywhere. I didn’t even notice; I was so caught up in my conversation with Vaughn, worrying if he’d slept with her and listening to the details of his past. I need to pull myself together. There’s a saying about not seeing the forest for the trees. And I don’t want to miss this moment. I have a cute guy beside me and a cold glass of bubbly, and the night sky is lit up with the beauty of God’s creation.
“Are you sure you have to go back to New York tomorrow?” he asks, breaking the silence.
I only have tonight—and most of the day tomorrow. Because like a real grown-up, I scheduled a meeting on Monday morning in New York City. Another meeting with a prospective donor and then a media interview that my PR team has lined up. Part of me regrets it. Beinghere with him makes me want to cancel all my plans and lean in to this crazy adventure for however long it lasts.
“I’m sure,” I say.
“Maybe we can meet up while you’re there.”
“Maybe,” I say, feeling uncertain. I do have some important meetings this week, and the man beside me can be a distraction—the best kind, but still.
He leans over and kisses me again—slowly, leisurely, like we have all the time in the world.
“I’ll be in New York this week. My grandparents are celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and there will be a big party at the Waldorf on Tuesday. You should come with me.”
He says it so casually that I almost laugh.
“I am not going to your grandparents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary.”
“Why not?”
“Why not?Because that would be completely inappropriate. What would people say?”
“I don’t care what they say. Come with me. Please.”
I soften to his pleas. “What if I meet you after the party?”
He considers this. “You won’t come to the party?”
“I will not come to the party,” I confirm.
He chuckles. “Okay.”
His eyes are on mine, and his look is filled with longing. I want to know more about Mia, but the moment’s not right.
Before I can plot how to bring it up, Vaughn approaches again.
“I need your help,” she says, peering at me with a wild look in her eyes. “You can’t ask me what it’s about, and we can never talk about it again. Are you in or out?”
I don’t even have to think about it. “I’m in,” I say.
“Then let’s roll,” she shouts, excited for reasons I don’t understand. Volume seems to be her downfall—or, more specifically, keeping it at a normal level.
I down the last of my prosecco and rise from my seat. I give a little wave to Hart, who’s grinning oddly and watching our exchange.
“Where are you going?” I call out after her.
Vaughn’s maxi dress drifts behind her as she runs down the beach. “Hurry!” she calls out over one shoulder.
