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I puff out a breath. “It’s just an adjustment period, that’s all.” The lies just keep coming tonight.

“I’ll meet you at the airport tomorrow. I should probably make my own way there since I’ll be flying back alone.”

“Okay.” I come to a stop and turn to her, the pieces of hair framing her petite face blowing in the breeze. “You’re still sure you want to come?”Please say yes.

“I mean, yeah. If you still want me there?”

I want her everywhere.

“Luna, me asking was simply to check ifyoustill want to come. I’ll take whatever time together we can get.”

The corners of her mouth tip up slightly. “Me too. Especially since you’re paying for me to fly first class.”

I throw my head back and laugh. Looking around, I notice there’s no one but us. The warm glow of the fire is still burning, but everyone has gone. “How about some late-night swimming?”

“What? Now?”

I reach behind my head and pull off my shirt. “No time like the present.”

“I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“Minor detail.” I haul her over my shoulder and charge for the water, barging my way through the waves as I go.

Her tiny fists beat on my back as water splashes up all around us. “Put me down, Evans!”

“Never!”

“I mean it. I won’t come to the gala!”

“Oh, playing hardball now, eh? Okay, you win.” I throw her into the water, laughing hysterically as she comes up for air, completely drenched.

“Asshole.” She sends a wave of water my way that hits me square in the face.

“Let’s not play these games. You know it’s dangerous to poke the bear.”

She quirks a soaked brow. “You act like the tough guy, but I know what’s underneath that hardened hockey player exterior of yours.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, like a Tootsie Pop or something. Hard on the outside, soft in the center.”

“You’re like popping candy,” I counter.

“Well, it is delicious.”

“Definitely delicious. I love the way it crackles on my tongue.”

I tower over her as I come to stand so close, I can smell her sweet scent over the salty ocean. I’m thrumming with the need to reach out and take her in my arms.

Against the moonlight, I see her cheeks flush at my innuendo that was one hundred percent deliberate. “Zach, I, we should—” She thumbs over her shoulder toward the shore.

Just one more minute, Luna.

I bring my hand up to her cheek and stroke my thumb along her jawline. “I know weshoulddo a lot of things.”

Her deep eyes dance as she looks up into mine. Goddammit, why does it have to be this way? “Why can’t the stars align for us, Rocket?”

In response, her breath catches in her throat. It’s the first time I’ve admitted we could be something more if things were different. Because other than the distance, I’m running out of reasons why we can’t.