Page 61 of Starry Skies, Stolen Kisses, and My Best Friend's Brother

She is happiness.

And if I’m with her, then it doesn’t matter where I live.

If she wants to stay here, then I’ll stay here.If she wants to go, then I’ll go.It just has to be with her.

TWENTY

Mae

I stumble a little on the path to the bunkhouse.I have to stop and lean against a tree.I have never, ever been kissed like that before.But holy cow, I’ll never be the same.Forget comparing all men to him in looks and personality.No one will be able to kiss me like that.

A smile forms on my lips, and I can’t suppress it.Not that I’d want to.Tomorrow, things will look different.Tomorrow, we have to go back to pretending like things are normal, but for tonight, I’ll let myself imagine the future.A future where I don’t have to go sneaking back to the bunkhouse.A future where we finally build a house on the hill and have a family.

I reach the main path, and a flashlight comes from the trail to the beach.I wait because I don’t want to freak them out.Probably Terry and Todd on another quiet walk.It could also be random guests, but it’s really late.

My heart sinks.My father is approaching me on the path.I should have just kept walking, but now he’s here, and everything is so complicated.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”I try to sound nonchalant, but my mind is racing through how to explain my presence out here.He’s going to see right through me.He falls in step with me, and we walk toward the lodge so I can go around the cliffs and back to my bunkhouse.

He looks over his shoulder.“What are you doing out here so late?”

I can feel the disapproval radiating off him.“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I was out with my friends.Looks like you’re coming back from Seth’s cabin.”

My stomach turns, and I laugh nervously, trying to downplay the situation.“Dad, did you forget that you told me to date other people?I had a date tonight with a guy named Jonathan.His cabin is near Seth’s.But I wanted to go back to my own bed tonight.”My words come out sharp and defensive, but I can’t help it.He’s ruining any chance I have with Seth.

“I’m sorry.You’re right.It’s not my business.”His voice is apologetic now, but it doesn’t change anything.

“What about protection?”he suddenly asks, and I throw my hands up in frustration.

“Dad, please don’t ask me questions like that anymore.I’m an adult with a job and a degree.I don’t ask about your sex life, so please don’t ask about mine.”There’s anger in my tone but also sadness because I know deep down Seth and I can’t be together.

I don’t wait for him to retort.Instead, I jog back to the bunkhouse, my post-kissing buzz long gone.I slow to a walk just before I reach the door.While I had hoped Seth and I might be able to keep this up, we can’t.My dad is watching our every move and asking questions about us to people who don’t know he’s forbidden our relationship.

But the Blackwood family’s livelihood is on the line, and we aren’t going to risk it.

I’m barely inside the bunkhouse door when my phone buzzes.

Seth: Did you make it back safely?

Mae: Had to fight off three bears and two serial killers, but I survived.

Seth: Definitely staying the night tomorrow.I don’t need to worry about you even more than I already do.

Mae: Tomorrow night’s not happening.We can’t.Ran into my dad in the woods.Fed him a fake story, and he bought it, but I put everything at risk.I’m sorry.

Seth: We’ll figure something out.

TWENTY-ONE

Seth

I rub my forehead.“You want him to do what?”

I’m standing in the last cabin that needs to be fixed up, and Abi has ideas about Levi’s TikTok channel.I’m dressed like my brothers, but they have no idea that my t-shirt and jeans cost more than their whole wardrobes combined.

Abi rolls her eyes and says the same words again, but slower.“I want him to take off his shirt and pour water on his head so I can film it.His fans are asking for it.It’s the latest thirst trap thing.”

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