Page 56 of Chasing Stars
Miles nods. “Come on, you’re freezing. Let’s ride this next one in and call it a day.”
Our boards bob side by side with the swell of the waves, rising and falling in sync, as if the ocean itself is pulling us together. We lie on our stomachs and start paddling, muscle memory guiding me. My arms slice through the water churning in my hands, and then the wave catches me. I pop up, the board steady beneath my feet. For a moment, it’s just me and the sounds of the surf. Then, I catch sight of Miles in the corner of my eye, the sunset framing him in a golden haze. He rides parallel to me with expert grace, carving into the ocean with ease, always leaving me enough space to ride the same wave. He mirrors me, laughing and pointing at me as the ocean carries us in. We’re both laughing as we step off our boards and walk toward our towels.
I set the board down, and when I stand up, Miles is holding a large towel open for me. I step into it and turn to face him. “You’re a natural,” Miles murmurs.
“I had a good teacher,” I whisper, staring at his mouth.
“Jenna…” Miles lets out a breath. His eyes dart away from me and back—he looks like he wants to say something but he’s holding back.I knew something was preoccupying him.
“Miles,” I say, urging him on. “What’s wrong?”
“I…” Miles hesitates and then shakes his head as if changing his mind. “I just want you to know…I really like you.”
I grin. “I really like you too, you dummy.” I swat his arm. “You scared me getting all serious like that. I thought you were going to dump me.”
But Miles grabs my hand again and pulls me closer. He leans down and nuzzles his nose with mine. “No,” he says huskily,shaking his head. “I more than like you, Jenna. I’m falling for you.”
My heart races.I’m falling for youis not something you say to a fling. I know now—this isn’t a fling for Miles anymore. If I’m really honest with myself, it’s not a fling for me either and it hasn’t been for a while. I may have been built up like a fortress, but Miles has slowly but surely been breaking down my barriers and weaseling his way into my heart. And yet, I’m not scared. I’m excited, energized, hopeful…but not scared. Miles hasn’t given me any reason to be scared.
“Please say something,” he croaks into my ear, my wet hair dripping on his lips.
“I’m falling for you too, Miles,” I breathe.
28
MILES
Well, shit. My suspicions were confirmed out here in this bitter, cold ocean. Jenna’s vulnerability when I bring up her dad stirs something in me I wasn’t prepared for. It’s a question that’s been gnawing at me for weeks—what if the man who saved me was somehow Jenna’s dad? The way I feel so connected to her. The similarities in the timing of my accident and her dad’s death, it’s all too coincidental. Now I’m sure of it and I’m freaking the hell out. Her heart cracked wide open at the mere mention of her dad. My chest tightens and the cold seeps in. I try to steady my breathing but I’m spiraling.I’m the reason her dad’s not alive.The guilt consumes me as I picture that night. Strong arms throwing me on the long board, paddling us in. I never saw his face, but I can almost picture it now. The thought turns my stomach. I have to tell Jenna.
Twenty-five years after nearly losing my life, I find the daughter of the man who saved me. And I’m completely in love with her. That’s some serendipity shit. The last thing I want to do is reopen old wounds and hurt her. She deserves to know—but not now. I need time. I need to figure out how I even begin to share this with her.
I surprise us both when I blurt out that I’m falling for her. It’s true. But I’m deflecting, shielding myself from this new truth I’m carrying. Because it’s heavy. Too heavy to say out loud yet.
We drive to Jenna’s house to get her car and her things. She’s packing enough clothes for a week. We’ll both be in and out of her house checking on the builder’s progress. But in the meantime, we’re cohabitating—awfully early in the relationship.
“If this is too much,” Jenna starts slowly, “you know, me living with you…I can sleep on your couch. We don’t have to dive in headfirst.” She puffs out her cheeks like she is literally holding her breath, waiting for my response.
I laugh softly and reach for her hand, still cold from the ocean and the late October air. “I just told you I’m falling for you,” I murmur, eyeing her carefully while still keeping my eyes on the road. “Why would you think I’d want you anywhere but in my bed with me?”
Jenna shrugs. “I’m just making sure. This is a lot…and you’ve been single, you know? I don’t want to scare you off.” Her voice is uneasy, and it makes my chest hurt.Tell her,my conscience urges. But I don’t.
Instead, I kiss her hand and look over at her. “I’m not scared,” I say, hoping it reassures her.
Jenna sighs, resting her head against the seat. “Good. Me neither.” The smile she gives me makes me forget I have anything to hide.
I pull up behind her car and throw mine into park. “Do you want me to come in with you while you pack?” I ask.
Jenna shakes her head. “No, it’s fine. You go pick up food and I’ll meet you back at your place.” She glances at the house, smiling wistfully. “It’s going to be weird not being here. I was starting to get used to it.”
Something shifts inside me, making me uncomfortable. I want her to get used to being at my place—with me. I’m prettysure she no longer has one foot out the door, but the fear is still nagging at the back of my mind. I give her a tight smile. “Well, you won’t be alone now,” I say cautiously.
Jenna grins. “I am very excited about that.”
I pull my keys out of my pocket and take the house key off the ring before handing it to her. “Pete will be excited too,” I tell her. “Fair warning though, he’s going to try to sleep in bed with us.”
Jenna laughs easily and seems more relaxed. “I like cuddling.”
I lean forward and tip her mouth toward mine with my finger. I plant a soft kiss on her lips. “Okay, go get your things. I’ll see you at home.”Home.I didn’t mean to say it, but I like the way it sounds.
