Page 43 of My Three Roommates

“I’ve never been up here at sunset. Or after dark.” A pang of sadness overcomes me. I miss my old city life more than I though I would.

“We thought you’d like it.” Cody slides his arm around my waist and kisses my cheek. “You’ve seemed a little homesick lately.”

“Good call. It’s lovely.” The night air’s warm but not too hot, and the constant sounds of the city fade into the background as we walk further along the path. I'm floating through another world, escaping from all the stress and grind of the day.

I crane my neck upward. “I don’t know how we’re going to be able to see any stars.”

Cody squeezes me. “The sky’s clear, so who knows?”

“It’s still Manhattan.”

As we walk deeper into the park, the sky above us turns a deep shade of blue. I start to get a sense of breathtaking possibilities, and I can tell Cody feels it too. The moment before he kisses me, I get a rare glimpse of a sparkle in his eyes.

Brad and Tanner are walking just ahead of us. As the sun disappears, they’re getting more affectionate with each other. Seeing them like this makes me smile to myself. It's nice to see them so happy together, especially Brad. He’s relaxed in a way I’ve never seen before.

Same with Tanner. I was afraid the way his brother acted was going to take more of a toll on him than it already has. Tonight, it’s as if he’s finally free of worry about his family.

Cody’s feeling it too as he tightens his grip around my waist.

“Here we are,” Tanner calls over his shoulder. I’m not sure why we’re stopping until we get closer to a small crowd of people.

“A telescope,” I say. “So we do get to see the stars. You knew about this?”

Cody shrugs, grinning. “Like I said, Tanner gets the credit for this one. It didn’t sound like much to me but I’ve never been here at night either. It is kind of romantic.”

I laugh. “So you hate it.”

His sparkling eyes catch mine. “Maybe if I was here with someone else. Tonight, I don’t hate it at all.”

His intimate smile makes my heart flutter. I give Cody a quick kiss.

“Such a great idea, Tanner,” I say, slipping my free hand into his.

“Brad told me how much you liked to come here.” Tanner pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it, not letting go of Brad on his other side. “It’s nicer at night, so much less touristy. I’m glad you like it.”

“Very much so.” The night sky is a blanket of glittering stars that stretch endlessly before us.

That feeling of anything being possible intensifies when I get my turn at the telescope. The sky has no boundaries and I can feel it down to my bones. It’s a strange combination of peace and excitement at the exact same time.

Tanner and Cody take their turns at the scope, arguing good-naturedly about what the name of a particular constellation is.

Brad wraps his arms around me from behind. “I was starting to forget that stars actually exist.”

I lean back against his solid chest. “Me too.”

“I didn’t want to leave the city,” he continues. “Not at all. I miss it too, Kenna. Although I have to say.” He pauses. “Things are working out pretty well where we are now.”

I turn in his arms so I’m facing him. “If I knew this was what would happen when we moved, I would’ve been a lot more into it.”

Tanner and Cody join us, their faces bathed in the moonlight.

“Let’s keep walking,” Cody suggests. This time he and Brad take the lead, walking side by side while I’m with Tanner.

They aren’t as casually relaxed with each other as Brad was with Tanner. They immediately start up an intense conversation about some sports team.

Despite being so close, they aren’t touching each other. Their hands don’t even brush accidentally-on-purpose.

I know they’ll take a little more time to get closer. I wasn’t sure they ever would but tonight, I can believe they will.

---