Page 130 of The Destruction You Desire

In the space we used to spend so much time as kids, is a blanket, a huge picnic basket and a bottle of champagne. Next to it all is the man who's turned my world upside down in all the best ways.

He watches me approach as I take everything in with an easy smile playing on his lips.

"Working out, huh?"

He shrugs. "Surprise."

"What’s the occasion?" I ask, making my way to him and dropping down onto the blanket with him.

"I just wanted to do something, just the two of us. Forget about all the bullshit for a few hours."

"Well, I'm surprised. Your mom gave nothing away."

"How is she?"

"I think she's going to be fine. Yesterday was just a shock."

"Okay, good. That's enough about all that. For the next few hours, none of it exists."

"Okay, I can get on board with that."

I crawl over to him when he rests back on the blanket.

"Hey," I say, cupping his jaw and brushing my lips over his.

"Hey." His eyes sparkle with excitement. The sight makes my heart beat that little bit faster.

"Thank you for this."

"I thought I owed you a proper date."

"It's perfect." I look around at a place that used to feel as familiar as my own home, noticing all the changes, mostly how overgrown it all is now.

My eyes land on the tree trunk behind Luca and I stare at the carving we did all those years ago.

"Seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?"

He leans back and looks up.

"I spent a lot of time here after you left. There were so many times I almost carved that out."

"I'm glad you didn't," I say, curling into his side and resting my head on his chest.

"I figured that if you were ever going to come back, then you might come here."

"I didn't think we were talking about that," I point out.

"I still want it all, you know?"

"All what?"

"Everything we planned back then. The house, the kids, the dogs, the life together."

"Me too, Luc. I never stopped wanting it, not really. But what about the other bit?"

He chews on the inside of his cheek for a moment, lost in thought.

"I think I still want the NFL too. But I want it on my terms."