Page 185 of Next to Everything We Wanted

“She’s your mom, Sienna. I’m not going to hate you for spending time with her, even if I’m not her biggest fan.” My fingers locked with hers. “If anything, I’m happy for you.”

“Really?”

“I don’t care if she’s Ruby Estrella. Well, it would’ve been more ideal if she was anyone else, but what happened . . . happened. She can’t change it, I can’t change it.” I let my words soak in for a few moments. “If you want to forgive her, to talk to her about everything, nothing is stopping you. It shouldn’t change how we feel about each other.”

A smile broke out on her face, one that made my insides melt. “Thank you.” She looked at our intertwined hands. “When I think about my future—improving my band, going to fashion school, figuring things out with my family—something is missing.” Her amber eyes locked with mine again. “It’s you.”

I scooted closer, our shoulders touching. “Good.”

“My mom and Forrest say that you never give up on what you want.” She rested her head on my chest. “Is that true?”

“Forrest?” My eyebrows shot up. Had she found him online?

She lifted her head. “Your bandmate. I don’t think he hates me anymore.”

I let out a small chuckle. “He doesn’t. He might even like you.”

“So, you’ve talked to him?”

I nodded. “Somewhere in the Sky is still in the air, but he doesn’t hate me, either. Actually, he loves me.”

“Good.” She pursed her lips. “And do you know who I love?”

My heart banged against my ribs, knowing what she was about to say. “Who?” I asked, playing dumb for fun.

“You.” She brushed her lips against mine, causing a rush of electricity to surge through my veins. I’d almost forgotten how soft they were, how sweet they tasted, even without the lipstick. “I love you.”

Her words sent warmth through my entire body, every cell coming to life. “I love you too,” I breathed before kissing her back.

“Good. Because you’ll always have a piece of me.”

“I don’t want a piece of you,” I whispered. “I want it all. All your beauty, all your scars, everything you have to offer. I’ve wanted so many things, but I’ve never wanted anything more than to be with you.”

A smile broke out on Sienna’s face, those beautiful lips lifting. “You already have it all.”

Her mouth met mine again. This time, it was faster. Hungrier. Like our lips had spent too much time apart and needed to catch up. I needed more of her, to make up for lost time, to feel how real this was.

My hands glided to her waist as I pulled her closer to me, no space between us. Her hands traveled from my hair to my neck to my shoulders. Her lips moved from mine to the side of my throat, where the cloud tattoo rested. My skin sparked to life, chills racing down my spine.

“Do you feel free when you’re with me?” she murmured, her mouth still on my neck.

“I—” I moaned from the pressure.

She giggled against my skin. “That’s not an answer.”

If I wasn’t so lost right now, I would’ve rolled my eyes. “Of course I do,” I managed to say, my breathing shallow.

“Good.” She smiled before pressing her mouth against mine, so hard that another moan escaped my throat. Her kisses wereintoxicating, making the blood burn in my veins until my entire body set on fire.

We had almost no time to breathe between kisses, needing love more than oxygen. Sienna’s back leaned against the railing of the bench as our bodies pressed together.

Sienna gasped as my hands met her waist. “We should . . . probably . . . go inside.” She broke apart from me, nodding to the porch’s camera. “That’s there.”

“Oh.” My cheeks burned. “I hope your dad isn’t live streaming this.”

She giggled, steadying herself as she got up from the bench. “He probably isn’t. But just to be safe, we should do this in private.” She extended her arm, and I took her hand and followed her inside.

“Now,” she said, grinning before gently pushing me onto the couch, “let’s pick up where we left off.”