Page 32 of When We Are Complete

We were sprawled out on this old blanket we’d found in the back of my Camaro—I’d loved that car almost as much as Kelly. Her head rested on my shoulder, her laughter soft as she looked up at the stars, pointing them out one by one.

The radio was playing and the ocean breeze tugged at her hair. There was a faint glow from the lighthouse overhead, casting just enough light to catch the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at me.

“You ever think about getting out of here?” I asked her, more serious than I meant to be.

Kelly smiled, her fingers tracing little shapes on the back of my hand. “Only if you’re with me.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“Look at that one,” she whispered, nudging me with her elbow, pointing at a star. “I swear, that one’s ours. It’s brighter than the others. You see it?”

I laughed, pretending to squint, even though I’d look anywhere she told me to, agree to anything she said. “Pretty sureyou’re just seeing things, but yeah. That one’s ours.” I squeezed her hand, pulling her a little closer. “All of this is ours tonight.”

She smiled, and something moved deep inside my chest. It was more than a crush or a moment—I knew I’d never have this with anyone else. And then it happened—Adele’sRolling in the Deepcame on the radio, the song floating out into the night, mingling with the sound of the waves crashing below us.

I’d heard that song a hundred times—it was playing all summer—but right then, every lyric was written for us. It was somehow meant for that moment.

Except wedidhave it all. At least, we thought we did.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close, my lips brushing her forehead as her eyes closed. “You feel that too, right?” I whispered, barely even aware of the words as they came out. I just needed her to say it.

Her hand squeezed mine. “Every second of it.”

We stayed tangled up in each other, the music wrapping around us, the stars shining above. The whole world had shrunk down to just us, just that night. It was one of those moments that I wanted to last forever, one I knew I’d never forget.

As the song played on, she looked at me and leaned in close. We kissed, the kind of kiss that seemed to make time slow down, except for the beat of the song, which raced in time with my heart. I wanted to freeze that moment, keep it locked in some corner of my heart where it couldn’t get lost. But life doesn’t work that way, does it?

It was brutal today, being close enough to catch her scent, close enough to brush those stray locks from her eyes and take her in my arms.

No matter how much every part of me wants to pull her against me, claim her mouth like I did that night at the wedding, I’ll have to grin and bear it and wait for the right moment. Show her with time and patience.

I take another sip of my soda and swirl the can, as if it holds some kind of answer. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

My feelings for her are just as strong now as they were all those years ago. Maybe even stronger. But given our past, I’m going to need a cool head, a steady hand, and patience.

And I can wait. I’m a patient man.

Later that night, while Adele is at drama rehearsal, I walk down the boardwalk to meet Liam and Antonio for a quick drink. Boats bob gently in the marina as I push open the door to the Tidal Tavern, and music drifts out to meet me.

The vibe inside is laid-back—murmurs of conversation, the clink of glasses, and the low hum of a guitar coming from the speakers. It’s a slow night, which makes sense; the start of winter means the tourists have thinned out, leaving the locals to reclaim their usual seats.

I glance toward the bar and spot my sister, Lucy, in her element, making drinks and chatting to customers. She catches my eye and flashes a grin as I approach.

“Well, well, look who’s finally decided to join the living,” Lucy says, reaching for a glass. “What’ll it be?”

“Just a beer,” I say, leaning against the bar.

She pulls a beer from the tap and sets it in front of me. “I’ll put it on your tab. You look distracted. Everything okay?”

I shrug, trying not to show how close she’s hit to the mark. “Yeah. Long day. We got the contract for the Founder’s Day Festival, though.”

“I heard already. Congratulations. Blake’s got the night off with Ethan tonight, by the way. I’ll be closing. And the boys are upstairs on the terrace.”

“Thanks, and good luck,” I say, taking my beer and heading toward the stairs.

The roof terrace is dimly lit with string lights, and Liam and Antonio are at a corner table, beers in hand, deep inconversation. Liam looks up first, his grin stretching across his face. He’s always been a good-looking bastard. Women love him.

Beside Liam, Antonio leans back in his chair. There’s something steady about Antonio, despite everything his family has been through—he’s the guy you want next to you when things go south.

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