Page 50 of Light It Up Red

I look past him, at the sliding glass doors. There’s a hot tub on the deck that overlooks the yard and the lake at the edge of the property. My nose scrunches up. “How many people do you think have fucked in that thing?”

“Probably a lot. We can add to that number.” Travis waggles his eyebrows up and down.

“Yeah, let’s not.” I shake my head. “That’s disgusting and a UTI waiting to happen.”

“You wanna watch a movie?”

“Sure, but I’m picking it.” I plop down on the sofa, pull the throw blanket from the top, and cover myself.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Travis says, sitting down next to me. He picks me up and places my back against his chest, his legs on each side of my body.

“You know, a girl could get used to this.” I sigh.

“Get used to what?”

“Domesticated bliss with the Travis O’Neil.”

“I hope so, because I don’t plan on letting you go.”

I flick through the channels, settling on a rerun of 50 First Dates. Halfway through the movie, I look up at Travis. “What would you do if I forgot us?”

“I wouldn’t ever let you forget, Lili. Besides, how the fuck could you forget that you love this face?” He draws a circle in the air for good measure.

“It is a really pretty face,” I tell him.

“Did you just call me pretty?” Travis laughs.

“You and I both know how good looking you are. Don’t pretend you don’t know that face of yours is breaking hearts all across the country.”

“As long as it’s not breaking yours. I don’t give a shit about anyone else.”

My phone vibrates on the coffee table. I reach out, pick it up, and find another message from Alessandro. “It’s my brother,” I tell Travis before tapping on the notification.

Alessandro:

They were paps. We’ve sent them on their way.

Me:

Thank you.

Alessandro:

Anytime, sis. Have fun, but not too much fun. I’m heading back to the city.

Me:

Dad’s letting you leave me here alone?

Alessandro:

Don’t be ridiculous. Zio Luca is staying in town.

I roll my eyes. Of course he is.

Me:

I love you.