Page 24 of Marked
I missedher.
And from the way she keeps glancing over at me from the passenger seat, color rising to her cheeks, I’d venture to say that she missedme, too.
Our conversation flows easily as I navigate the forest roads of the six-pack territory, and it isn’t long before I’m pulling off at a scenic overlook where the trees give way to a full, unobstructed view of the night sky. Shifting the gear into park, I cut the ignition and unfasten my seatbelt, climbing out of the truck.
Chey follows suit, watching curiously as I grab the stack of blankets I brought along from the back seat and go around to pop the tailgate. Climbing up into the truck bed, I unfold and spread them out, arranging a comfortable spot for us to lay down and stargaze. Then I step back over to the tailgate, extending a hand to help her up.
She places hers in mine with a shy smile, climbing up and scooching back to settle onto the blankets. I drop down beside her and stretch out with a relaxed sigh, folding my arms behind my head and looking up at the expanse of stars overhead.
“I can’t remember the last time I just looked at the stars,” she breathes, shifting her weight to get more comfortable.
“Gotta take time to enjoy the little things,” I murmur. “My family used to do this all the time when I was young, we’d play this game where we’d look up at the stars and map out our own constellations.” I turn my head sideways to look at her, arching a brow. “Wanna try it?”
She turns her head to meet my gaze. “Sure, you go first.”
My lips curve into a grin and I look up again, eyes mapping out images in the night sky overhead. It’s so clear tonight, the stars shining like diamonds against the blanket of blackness. I easily pick out some traditionally familiar constellations, like the big dipper and Orion’s belt, as well as a few made-up ones that are only recognizable to me and my family, like the little wolf and the Alpha’s barbell. My eyes trace the patterns in the sky as I use my imagination to piece them together into a picture, just like I used to when I was young.
“Alright, see that bright one right there and the two little ones next to it?” I ask, extending an arm and pointing a finger.
She squints as she tries to discern what I’m pointing at. “Yeah, I think so…”
“Follow those stars that curve down to the left,” I say, gesturing. “Totally looks like a magician’s top hat, right? See the way that line of stars makes the brim?”
She squints harder. “Oh damn, you’re right,” she gasps. “I can totally see it.”
I glance her way, grinning. “Your turn.”
Chey rolls her eyes with a sigh, angling her head up to the sky again. “I’m probably not gonna be any good at this,” she mumbles as she narrows her eyes, pursing her lips in consideration as she looks at the stars.
I’m only looking at her.
The glow of the night sky illuminates the soft contours of her face, shadows clinging to the hollows beneath her cheekbones and the dip of her cupid’s bow. Cheyenne Clark is so damn beautiful it hurts. I couldn’t look away right now if I tried.
“Okay, I think I’ve got one,” she finally declares, lips curving in a victorious smile as she raises a hand and points up at the sky.
I snap out of the trance I’m in, refocusing my gaze to follow where she’s pointing.
“See that cluster of stars right there? The two really bright ones with the dimmer ones in a curve underneath?”
“Mhmm,” I hum as I identify the cluster she’s describing.
“Totally looks like a smiley face.”
I snort a laugh, shaking my head.
“What?” she huffs, turning to face me.
“A smiley face?” I tease. “That’s the best you can do?”
“Hey, I thought it was pretty good for my first try,” she scoffs, waving me away as she turns her gaze skyward again.
I chuckle to myself as I follow suit, the two of us laying there in companionable silence for a few minutes as we look at the stars and listen to the chirp of the insects.
“Thank you,” Chey murmurs quietly.
My brows pinch together as I push up on an elbow, glancing down at her. “For what?”
She blows out a breath, gaze hooking on mine. “Showing up, bringing me out here… I’ve been in my head since the other night, and I just…” she trails off, throat bobbing with a swallow. “I really needed this.”
