Page 26 of Honest With You

I chuckle.

I swear, sometimes I think I’m the only one who remembers anything.

“You told me when we were kids that you hated surprises and loved spoilers.”

She’s quiet for a moment as we exit the darkened, suburban streets and she stares at the sign for Mount Soledad before turning to fully look at me.

“I can't believe you remember that.”

“I remember everything, Ava.”

She’s still staring at me as I pull the car up to a park on the side of the lot across from the monument and Mount Soledad Cross.

I know she thinks I’m trying to woo her right now, or at the very least trying to change her mind about dating me. In the back of my mind, I want that.

But in all honesty, I just want to be around her. In any way I can be.

I take my seatbelt off and then lean across the console to take hers off, my knuckles accidentally brushing her chest. She gasps softly and it takes everything in me to lean back into my seat, and keep my hands to myself.

“We’re here.”

My eyes meet hers and for a few moments, we simply stare at one another until she breaks the spell and nods, turning to exit the car.

I pull the hood of my sweater on before following her out. Ava looks around, wisps of hair flying around her face. A sharp gust of wind hits us both at the same time and she shivers.

I quickly round my car to the trunk to grab the blankets and backpack I stored in there for tonight.

She’s rubbing her shoulders when I meet her on the pavement. She’s looking up at the Mount Soledad cross, her jaw slack.

I pull one of the blankets from my stash and wrap it around her shoulders. She smiles gratefully at me before staring glumly up the steps.

“I’m ready.” Looking down at her sneakers, she squeaks. “I’m glad I wore comfortable shoes tonight. I’m not exactly a hiking person. Even if it is a short climb.”

I chuckle, and gesture behind me to the side of the mountain where the grassy area is overlooking the city.

“Neither am I.”

She exhales in relief and follows me to the grassy outlook.

It’s a crisp, fall Monday night so the tourist destination is not busy and only one other couple is on the other side, sitting on the bench overlooking the city.

I’m grateful for the privacy, as it’s the reason I wanted to come here this late.

Ava is nearly giddy with excitement when she sees the view of the city, but it’s nothing compared to when she looks up and sees the multitude of stars. She’s practically jumping and skipping to the edge to get a better look.

I set my backpack and two thick blankets down on the grass before following her to the edge of the slope. I get there just in time to catch her slip on the wet grass in her haste to look at the view. I grab hold of her waist and pull her back, a little forcefully, until her back meets my chest.

A startled gasp escapes her and she clutches my arm around her.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Careful. Don’t want to lose you now that I’ve found you again.”

She spurts out a laugh and I feel the vibration against my chest. Turning in my arms, she looks up at me, her lips pursed in thoughtful amusement.

“Do those lines actually work for you?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I’ve never had the words before. Not until I saw you again.”

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