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“That's easy, it's because you're my boyfriend. I bet every father in the world has a hard time with that.”

“Maybe, but it's not like he doesn't know who I am.”

“Did you ever think the issue is that hedoesthink he knows who you are?”

She's right. It's not like my name doesn't come with baggage.

“We're here.” Bending down, Blue slid off my back, dropping onto the tips of her toes.

“And where is here?”

“Old Turner Woods, just past Fletcher's Rock.”

“But there's nothing out here, nothing but trees.”

“That's where you're wrong.” Taking her hand, I guided her to the edge of a large open valley. “Look.”

“I am looking. All I see are black trees and an even blacker sky.”

“Look closer.” Stepping behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pointed a finger out into the dip of the valley. “Just look.”

“For what, Jay? I don't—”

Blink

Blink

Blink blink blink

One after another, the little green lightening bugs began to glow. Hundreds, maybe thousands of fireflies were all blinking at the same time. It was a natural phenomenon, something that only happened in a few places in the world, and our backyard was one of them.

“See, what did I tell you?”

“Oh wow, this is amazing.” Blue looked around as the mass of glow-bugs exploded all around us. Holding out her hands, she closed them together in the air, bringing them to her face and peeking inside. “I have at least ten just here. How? Why? How did you find this?”

Resting my face against hers, I said, “A man doesn't tell his secrets, he only shares them with the person he loves.”

Turning around to look at me over her shoulder, she eyed me curiously. “What did you just say?”

“I said a man—”

“No, no, I heard that part, what did you say after that?”

“That I'll only share my secrets with the person I love?” Spinning Blue around, I pulled her into my chest and held her firmly in my arms. “I love you, Blue bird, I've loved you for years.”

“I never thought I'd hear you say those words.”

“Why not?”

“Because I thought love was something you didn't believe in.”

“I didn't, and then I met you.” Pausing, I thinned my lips, waiting for her to say it back. “But if you don't say it back—”

Blue reached up, running her hand across my jaw, stopping me from saying another word. “Of course I love you, Jayden, you shouldn't even have to ask me that.”

“I'm not asking if you love me, I know you love me, I just needed to hear it.”

Blue's expression became stern as she frowned. “I need you to know something.”