Page 164 of Should Our Stars Collide

“You’re such a sweet talker. I’m not sure I can restrain myself for much longer.”

Kieran peers at him from under his lashes and licks his lips. “No one said you have to.”

A damn siren, that’s what Kieran is. And he has Ash under his spell, like a stupid, horny sailor.

“What do you want to show me?”

Kieran just cocks his head towards his car. That’s…not good. Because out here, Ash can at least put some distance between them.

He ends up following Kieran regardless. He can’t say if it’s disappointment or relief that floods him when Kieran puts the car in motion, fully focused on driving.

Both, he decides,with maybe, like, a 60-40 ratio.But he’s still grateful when Kieran pulls up into a parking spot at Burleigh Beach five minutes later, then grabs a blanket from the boot.

“Stargazing? That’s what you wanted to do?”

Kieran shoots him a disgruntled look. “So what? You don’t wanna? Too cool for that?”

Ash opens his mouth to explain he didn’t mean it like that, he’s just surprised. He didn’t consider Kieran the type.

Then again, Kieran’s been nothing if not unpredictable, so it’s not that shocking. Or Ash isn’t as good at reading people as he believed.

“Not at all,” is all he says. “Lead the way.”

Kieran continues glaring at him through slitted eyes for a while longer, before grumbling something under his breath and walking towards the beach.

“Is this what you do in your free time?” Ash asks as Kieran lays the blanket down. Or tries to, losing his fight with the wind. With a chuckle, Ash grabs the two opposite corners and helps him set it down evenly.

They sit down next to each other, the small width of the blanket making it challenging to put any space between them. Ash doesn’t particularly mind.

Staring at the waves rolling gently against the shore, Kieran says, “I used to come here with my partner.”

“Oh?”

That’s…a little odd. If it weren’t for the nostalgic expression, Ash would suspect Kieran’s baiting him. Because who brings a potential love interest (not that Ash is planning on doing anything about the potential part) to the place that invokes memories of their ex?

That doesn’t seem to be the case, though, which makes it all the more confusing. Maybe today would be their anniversary? And Kieran is feeling sad and lonely? Ash can only guess, because when he tries to sneak a quick look at Kieran’s thoughts, he comes up empty. Strange…

Ash must’ve been staring a little too intently, because Kieran barks out an aggravated, “What?”

“Nothing. I just…never expected you to be so romantic.” Sentimental would be a better word.

Kieran scoffs. “Like you are any better.”

“You don’t know that.”

Especially since Ash has never had any real opportunity to put those romantic traits into practice. And those rare times he did a little? It’s unlikely the other person appreciated it.

“Call it a hunch.”

Kieran doesn’t elaborate further. Instead, he slides all the way down onto his back, locking his hands behind his head.

Ash mirrors him, folding his hands on his stomach instead as he turns his eyes to the starry sky. The light pollution isn’t as strong here, making everything shine so much brighter. It’s pretty enough that it keeps his attention away from Kieran. At least for a bit. All too soon, his gaze is glued to Kieran’s profile. Ash hasn’t drawn in a long time, but damn if he doesn’t wish he had a piece of paper and a pencil right now.

“So, this partner of yours…” His nosiness gets the better of him. “Was it serious?”

Kieran’s chest stops mid-rise and his throat bobs. He whispers, “Yeah.”

Okay. A touchy topic, if that wasn’t clear before, but Ash can’t help it. He wants—needs to know the rest of the story. What kind of person can get Kieran looking like that? Not angry, not bitter. Just…sad.