Page 9 of Ever After

“So Jay, do you have a last name?”

“It’s Hart.”

“Jay Heart,” I repeat. “Like heart the organ?” I say as I point to my chest.

“Without the E.”

“That's cute, I like it,” I say with a smile.

Jay starts to laugh. “Not until you know where I got it from?”

I raise my eyebrows wondering what he means.

“When I was born my parents were using alias names. So Hart isn’t even their real last name.”

“Really?” I ask, shocked. “How do you know so much if you never knew them?”

“The foster care kept records of everything the courts had on my parents. When I emancipated myself they gave me all the information they had and I did some digging of my own, too.”

Our conversations turn into jokes and laughter for the rest of the night. We both decide to get into the water. I don’t have a swimsuit on, so I go in my clothes. I can't help but stare at Jay as he takes off his shirt. His broad chest and tattooed arms make my knees go weak.

“Ready?” he asks.

I hurry and turn away from him so he doesn’t notice me staring.

“Yes, let’s go.”

Once my feet hit the water, I pick up the pace and run. He runs after me, and I sense him right behind me. His hands grab my waist and make me pause. He picks me up like I’m a baby being cradled, and I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on. He runs deeper into the water. “No!” I scream and laugh, but just as I get the word out, he dunks both of us under. I come up for air while still in his arms. I notice I’m straddling him at this point. We are both staring at each other, and he leans in. I’m getting nervous. My cheeks are heating up. They are probably as red as an over-ripe tomato now. Is he going to kiss me? Instead, he hugs me a little tighter and rests his head on my shoulder. I feel my tension release. It’s such a heartwarming gesture that I haven’t received for such a long time. I haven’t even known this guy for that long, but I feel an instant connection to him. Like a sense of familiarity with him like I’ve known him from another lifetime. It’s hard to explain. I wonder if he feels the same or if I’m just reading into things…

The sun starts to rise, and Jay lifts his head and looks at me.

“We should go get some rest. We’ve been up all night.”

“We should.” I release myself from him. We walked back to shore to where we left our shoes. We are both soaked with no towels. I pick up my shoes and purse, and we head back toward the city together.

My mind spins because I’m not sure what to do at this point. I don’t want to leave him, but he might think I’m using him. Heisfun to be around, and I can finally relax and be myself. I always feel so tense around Aiden. It’s like walking on eggshells with him because I never know what mood he is in or what will set him off.

“What hotel are you staying at? Maybe I can find a room there,” I say.

“The Marriott,” he says, drying himself off with his shirt.

Thank God he didn’t say Hilton.

“Why don’t you stay with me? It’s late…well, I guess it’s early.” He laughs. “You’ve had a long night. I’ll help you look for a hotel once we get some rest.” I’d actually love that, but still…I don’t want to invade his space.

“No, I don’t want to intrude. I probably already ruined your night with all my drama,” I say anxiously because I kind of don’t want to be alone right now, but I also don’t want to sound like I don’t.

“You didn’t ruin my night. I’ve been here for a week and haven’t talked to anyone. It was nice to have some conversation,” he says.

“You haven’t talked or met anyone else? I don’t believe that. Why?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t found anyone I cared to start a conversation with.” He looks over at me. “But I guess you set me up to start a conversation with you by stealing my seat.” We both laugh.

I continue walking with him because I don’t exactly have another option but also because I want to. The streets are quiet this early in the morning. A lot of early morning risers are walking over to the beach with coffee in hand. Some are already in swimsuits, too.

“I told you that was an accident. You don’t know how stupid I felt.”

He shakes his head and laughs. “I noticed you before you stole my seat. I wanted to talk to you but didn’t know how to start a conversation. You looked deep in thought, and then I saw your ring.”

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