Page 82 of Sunshine

As we trail her to the table, the soft murmuring of conversations around us dwindles and eventually comes to a screeching halt. I feel everyone’s eyes on us, and it sends a flush crawling up my neck. But I don’t let go of his hand, and he doesn’t let go of mine.

“Wait,” he urges as we reach the table, stepping past me to pull out my chair for me. It’s a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes in this moment.See, I want to tell everyone.See how respectful he is? How eager to do right by me?

“Thank you,” I smile, and I feel the soft brush of his fingers along my neck as he eases me in close to the table.

The room stays silent as we open our menus—as if we don’t already know every option on it—but it doesn’t take long for the whispering to begin.

“. . . Layla Hayes and Wells Bennett . . .”

“. . . Jason’s best friend?”

“. . . such a disgrace to his memory . . .”

“. . . going to call Lynette right now . . .”

“Hey.” Wells catches my eyes over the top of his menu. He smiles. “We got this.”

I nod as I straighten my back.

“Evenin’,” June greets, her expression warm. “You kids know what you want?”

“Yes ma’am,” Wells answers politely, looking at me to go first.

“I’ll have the cheeseburger and fries, please,” I say. “And a lemonade.”

“Mm,” Wells hums. “That sounds perfect. I’ll do the same.” He hands June our menus and thanks her as she walks away.

“So,” I say, ignoring everyone around us. “Tell me about your family. How have they been doing?”

“Good.” He nods. “Real good. Sawyer is graduating this year. He’s starting to apply to graduate programs for wildlife conservation. Rhett’s been keeping his head down, working a lot at the bar with Kasey. Kasey and Brooks are really busy with the ranch. Melody’s been fighting a lingering virus for the last few weeks so she’s a little worn out. But the boys are good—Liam’s learning to rope.” He smiles. “Says he wants to compete.”

The little boy who chased after Jason’s ball all those years ago flashes in my mind, and I grin. “And your parents?”

“Dad’s still sober.” His smile grows, and then disappears. Like he’s careful with how much emotion to show for it. “Mom’s still proud.”

June comes out with our drinks and, soon after, our burgers. We keep an easy rhythm of conversation as we eat, and by the end of the meal, things feel more normal than I thought possible. Risking a look around, I see Sheriff Joe in the corner with a deputy, both inhaling June’s chicken pot pie like it’s air. Maeve, circled by her three adult children in the corner booth, politely cuts her chicken into tiny pieces before placing each one in her mouth.

Plenty of people are still watching us, but I simply don’t care.

Eventually, Olivia clears our plates and June brings the bill, which Wells insists on paying, and then we’re back in the cold night air.

“You should’ve seen their faces on our way out.” He laughs. “Cowards, all of them.”

“You think so?”

He nods. “I know so. None of them would brazenly walk into that diner like you did tonight. Everyone in this town is so worried about what other people think. None of them are as brave as you, my sunshine girl.”

He pulls me in for a kiss, pressing me against the side of his truck. I bask in the freedom of kissing him so openly, where anyone can see.

“Can I take you back to my place?” he asks, his body thrumming with an obvious desire as he grinds his hips into mine.

“Yes.” I nod. “Please.”

He buries his face in my neck, not quite ready to let me go, and I relish the heat pooling between us.

When we eventually make it to the cabin, he jumps out and says, “Wait here?” over his shoulder, a soft grin growing.

“Out here?” I ask, looking around at the dark ranch. When he nods, I say, “Okay.”

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