Page 66 of Exposed Ink

One of the things I love about Shane is how touchy-feely he is. It doesn’t matter where we are or who we’re with, he always shows me how much he cares, whether it’s holding my hand or kissing me. I always feel cherished.

“Well, in the future, anything you want to know, ask me, not them.” I glare at my parents, who don’t even have the decency to look ashamed.

“Are you two doing anything fun today?” Mom asks.

“After I get her fed,” Shane says, “I’m going to convince her to go away for the night with me.”

I whip my head around to look at him. We discussed going on a date, but going away wasn’t mentioned.

“Where?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “Maybe we can find a last-minute hotel on the beach.”

“You guys should go to the cottage in the Hamptons,” Mom says. “When was the last time you were there, Kins? It’s probably been …” She trails off, her eyes widening as she connects the dots at the same time I do.

The last time I was there was with …

“Actually …” She clears her throat, shooting me an apologetic look.

“Am I missing something?” Shane asks.

“The last time I was at the cottage in the Hamptons was with Brandon,” I tell him. “We went there for a short vacation while I was pregnant.”

I can see my parents gaping at me, shocked that I’m speaking so candidly with Shane, but I meant what I said last night. I’m ready to live my life with him, and that means accepting the past instead of running from it.

If I avoid everywhere Brandon and I went, we’d have a lot of places I would have to avoid, and that’s not what I want for Shane or me.

“We should go,” I tell him. “It’s free, and I haven’t been there in years.” And then I consider what I just said and pedal back. “Unless that would be really awkward and …”

“Hey, stop,” Shane says gently, smiling softly at me. “A trip to the Hamptons sounds good, as long as you’re up for it.”

He reaches down and squeezes my hand, and my heart swells in my chest.

“I think that would be nice,” I admit.

I can’t avoid the cottage forever, and going there and making new memories with Shane sounds kind of perfect.

“Then, we’ll go,” Shane says, glancing at my parents. “Thank you for the invite. I’m ashamed to admit that even after living in Brookside all these years, I’ve never made the trip to the Hamptons despite it being only a couple of hours away.”

“I know it well,” I tell him, snuggling into his side. “I can be your tour guide.”

I glance up at him, and he smiles down at me for a second before he leans in and gives me a quick kiss that has me craving more.

“I can’t wait,” he murmurs against my lips.

When we break apart and look at my parents, my dad is smiling, and my mom legit has tears in her eyes, and for the first time, it really hits me how down I’ve been these past few years and how worried they’ve been about me.

“Do you guys want to go?” I offer.

“No, we’re good,” Mom says. “You two go and have a good time. Once it’s warmer out, we’ll have to do a long weekend and invite everyone. I’m sure I can convince your brother and sister to join us.”

“Looks like it’s just you and me,” I tell Shane, kissing the corner of his jaw.

“I can’t wait.”

TWENTY-TWO

Shane

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