“Remind me to never play against you.”
“Eh. I reckon I’d let you win at least one game.”
“Just one?” I asked.
“Well, if you won them all, I wouldn’t get to see you lookin’ like a sad toad.”
I hid my face in my hands. “Leave my double chin alone!”
I’d tested out that theory in the mirror one day, trying to figure out how he’d come up with the nickname. Apparently, when I pouted, my chin tucked in and wrinkled. Looking like a frog.
“Ah, come on now,” he said with a raspy laugh. “Don’t hide that face. It’s much too adorable.”
Smiling so much my cheeks hurt, I relaxed against him and watched the waves roll in. “This is nice. Being here with you.”
“Aye, it is.” Rowan turned his face into my hair. “You smell so good.”
“I do?”
“Mhm.”
“What do I smell like?” Each of them had a unique scent, but I never thought about me having one too.
“Like…” He dipped his face to my neck. “Oranges.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Back in Solynia, there were groves of orange trees. I used to pluck a few and sit on a hill outside of town to eat. Food was hard to come by, but I looked forward to spring because of them. The smell’s a comfort for me now.”
“Oh.” My eyes stung, and I focused on a lone cloud drifting above us. “That’s… well, that’s—”
“There you go cryin’ again.”
“I’m not crying.” I rotated my body away from his. “The sun’s just in my eyes.”
“Uh huh.” He crept in behind me and took me in his arms, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Silly little treasure. Cryin’ all the time, whether you’re happy or sad.” He kissed my nape. “I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.”
I turned back to him and threaded our fingers together. “The more I learn about your past, the more I want to hug you and never let go.”
“Maybe I never want you to.”
There was a hard thump against my ribs. “Do you mean that?”
“You doubt my feelings?”
“No. I know you love me.” I focused on the sea. “But a part of me is scared of waking up one day and finding you gone. That despite your feelings for me, this life wasn’t enough for you.”
After a long pause, he pulled away and stood from the blanket.
“Rowan?”
“Come with me.” He offered me his hand.
I took it without hesitation. “Where are we going?”
He said nothing as he led me toward a section of trees along the beach. Once in the shade, he slowed his pace and peered up at the branches, a wistful set to his topaz eyes. “I sat right there on that branch and watched you that day. For hours, it seemed like.”
Butterflies flapped in my belly. “The day you Evan-napped me.”
