Page 51

Tilting my head back, I simply let the sun beat down on me. It’s so hot out and I already know I shouldn’t stay out here for too long, but I’m still enjoying it.

When I feel like everyone’s out of earshot, I go back to my one-sided conversation.

“Here’s the thing, Matt. Here’s the one thing I need you to know.

I feel like everything we went through—the good and the bad—brought me to this point.

To Ash. To my self-discovery. To my appreciation of the people in my life.

It’s all thanks to you. So thank you. Thank you for all of it.

Every minute. Maybe this is the good kind of karma, huh?

I hate to think that this is my reward when you’re never going to get to experience any of these things.

That part guts me. I know you lived every day to the fullest, but I know you weren’t done.

Every time I think of that, it devastates me. ”

The shuddery sigh is out before I can stop it, and I need a moment to compose myself.

“I hope you can hear me,” I say, my voice trembling.

“I hope you can see all the good you created and know how much you are missed. Thank you for sending me Ash. Sebastian.” I smile.

“I can see both sides of him—the changes in him when he’s working as Sebastian, and when the more playful side comes out, he’s Ash.

You did that. I know he regrets that he never thanked you for all you did for him, and that’s his conversation to have with you.

Either way, thank you. Fly high, Matteo.

I’d say rest easy, but I don’t think that’s possible for you. ”

I blow a kiss to the sky because I’m not sure what else to do. But out of the corner of my eye, I see someone walking toward me. I squint against the brightness and realize it’s Ash.

What the…?

Why isn’t he at work?

I don’t get up; I stay sitting in the sand and wait for him. But the closer he gets, I can see the peaceful smile on his face. And when he reaches me, he just plops down in the sand beside me.

“I thought I’d eventually find you out here,” he says, but he’s looking out at the ocean.

“I was wondering if West Coast sand felt different from East Coast sand.”

“And?” he prompts as he faces me.

“Definitely different. Not bad, just different.”

“Which do you prefer?”

“I think East Coast. But I’m not fussy. I’ve decided the beach is my happy place.”

“Really? And that’s a new revelation?”

I nod. “Definitely. Probably because I never had the chance to spend a lot of time at the beach when I was growing up. Now that I have, I realize I’m much more relaxed when I can hear the ocean. I think I’ve always known that part, but now it’s like…real. Essential.”

Now he nods. “Interesting. Those first few nights at Vanessa’s house, the sound of the ocean was unnerving. It was so loud and almost thunderous, even when we were inside. Sometimes I’d wake up and wonder what I was hearing.”

“But you obviously got used to it.”

Another nod. “I did. Now, it’s peaceful for me. It was comforting last night.”

Scooting closer, I rest my head on his shoulder. “I thought so too. Kind of wish Raleigh were closer to the beach.”

“Mmm…that would be nice. We’ll just have to make more of an effort to go to the coast more often.”

“Agreed.” We sit in companionable silence before my curiosity gets the better of me. “So, what are you doing here? You’ve only been gone for like…two hours. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“I was, but when I got there, the office manager explained that they were having some major company-wide meeting today and couldn’t afford any downtime on the computer system and asked if I would mind starting tomorrow.”

“It would have been nice if they called you earlier so you didn’t waste time going all the way there.”

He shrugs. “Maybe. But then you wouldn’t have had some time to yourself to just sit out here and enjoy the view. You looked very peaceful. I hate that I disturbed you.”

“You could never disturb me. I was just having a little time of reflection.” I don’t elaborate because the conversation I had with Matt—to Matt?—is private. “When I looked up and saw you, it made my heart very happy.”

“That’s exactly how my heart felt when I found you sitting here. I had already searched the hotel and figured this was the next logical step.”

“My next stop was going to be the pool area for lunch, but the beach was calling me.”

“If you’d like a little more time to yourself…”

Pulling back, I meet his sincere gaze. “I want to be with you, Ash. I wasn’t going to leave the hotel because I wanted to explore the town with you later on after work. I’d still like to wait until later and just have a lazy day here together.”

“That’s sounds like heaven.” He kisses me softly and I melt against him.

His kisses are addictive. When he sits back, I’m wildly disappointed, and I pout.

This just makes him smile. “So, what should we do first? Are you ready to head back to the hotel? Would you like to walk on the beach a little more?”

“Hmm…good question. I think walking back to the hotel will satisfy my walking on the beach for right now. Then we’ll scope out some lounges by the pool and see if we can get lunch delivered to us out there. I thought the concierge said that was possible when we checked in yesterday, didn’t he?”

He nods again. “Yup. He did and we both agreed it was a nice perk.”

“So let’s do that. Relax by the pool, eat a little lunch, go up to our room afterwards and make love, and then get ready to walk around downtown Carlsbad and see where the late afternoon and evening takes us.”

“I love the way you think, Liv.”

I hum happily as we get to our feet and I’m already looking forward to all of it.

I know it’s not going to be like this every day, but I kind of love that it’s like this today.

Some stops on his work tour are definitely in big cities with zero ocean views, so I want to enjoy every minute of this while we can.

Hand in hand, we slowly stroll. We discuss the color and texture of the sand before walking closer to the water and letting it wash over our feet, giggling like two little kids. It’s a moment of pure joy.

Ash runs a few feet away and wades farther out into the water and he looks like it’s the best thing he’s ever felt. It makes me look up at the sky again and whisper, “You did this, Matt. This is all thanks to you.” And again, I blow a kiss heavenward.

When Ash jogs back toward me, he’s soaked. “We’re going to need to run up to the room so I can change into something dry and less…um…sandy.”

“We can do that,” I assure him.

He pulls me close and kisses me again. This time it’s slow and deep and seductive. I wrap myself around him as the waves get a little more aggressive, and soon I’m just as wet as he is.

“You think we can change the order of our itinerary?” he murmurs against my lips.

“Itinerary?” I’m too dazed to follow what he’s saying.

“Yeah, the pool, lunch, and making love,” he clarifies gruffly. “How about we make love and then head down to the pool for lunch? Or maybe we order room service and make love all afternoon? What do you think?”

“To quote a wise man, ‘I love the way you think,’ Sebastian,” I tease.

His smile is positively radiant. “Come on. Let’s head back. The sooner we’re there, the sooner I can peel this bathing suit off of you.”

I’m giddy with anticipation, and yet we don’t run. We stroll. We bump our shoulders playfully while firmly holding each other’s hands. I can see the hotel up ahead and while that’s where we’re going, it’s not our destination.

Not really.

No, our destination is a happily ever after.

A forever.

And this exciting journey is just beginning, and I love that it’s starting at the beach.

My happy place.