Page 42 of Where Sea Meets Sky

Butterflies ignited in Faith’s stomach. She squeezed his hand, and they continued their walk through the museum, pausing to look at the displays together. He didn’t let go of her hand, and she loved feeling his rough, warm fingers around hers.

They stepped into the next room, and Faith gasped. It was dark, but on the ceiling overhead was a majestic display of the constellations. Artificial stars glittered above Faith and Ryan like magic. Slow, ethereal music played over the loudspeakers, and Faith felt as though she was in some kind of wonderful dream.

“Let’s sit,” Ryan whispered, gesturing to some comfortable seats placed in the middle of the room.

They went together to a kind of couch, shaped almost like a bean. They sat down together on it and leaned their heads back, looking up at the ceiling. The couch was incredibly comfortable, and Faith felt a rush of relaxation go through her. Ryan didn’t let go of her hand.

“It’s amazing,” she murmured. “You can expect one thing, but then suddenly everything around you changes. I expected a dark ceiling, and now here we are underneath something so much beautiful than that.” She was talking about more than just the museum, and Ryan seemed to know, because he squeezed her hand. She was thinking about how her life had turned out so differently from how she’d expected it to, but it was so much more wonderful than what she’d once planned for herself. She was healing, and at peace with herself. She had more energy and self-assurance, and now she was sitting with a handsome man who was looking at her as if he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked softly.

She nodded, and he brought his lips to hers. Her heart swelled with happiness, and as soon as they pulled away from the kiss, they both smiled at each other warmly.

“I know what you mean,” he said. “About things turning out differently than how you’d expected. I think we get too cocky, thinking we know best about how to live our lives. But life is so much bigger than us.” He gestured to the ceiling. “There’s a better plan, something we just need to let ourselves fall into sometimes, instead of clinging too tightly to our own agendas.”

She nodded, agreeing with him. She didn’t know where her life was going to take her next, or where the plan that was not her own would lead her, but in that moment, she felt nothing but hopefulness and a sense of joy about the future.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Julia stepped inside Seaside Sweets Bakery, enjoying the cheerful sound of the bell jingling over her head. The air was filled with the rich aroma of coffee and the sweet smells of baked goods, and Julia took a deep breath.

She was feeling much more relaxed than she had been, although her concerns about Cooper’s parents visiting were still not far from her mind. She had planned to meet up at Seaside Sweets Bakery for coffee with Faith and Alexis, and she was looking forward to spending time chatting with her girls.

I bet it’ll help take my mind off this whole thing,she thought to herself as she looked around for Faith and Alexis.Maybe they can help convince me that what Cooper said is true.

She’d kept reminding herself what Cooper had told her in her mother’s kitchen, that she should just be herself around his parents and he was sure that it would all turn out great. She wanted to accept his words and not give the matter another thought, but she was having trouble believing that he was right.

Faith and Alexis didn’t appear to be in the bakery yet, but a moment later they stepped inside, both smiling and laughing about something. Julia grinned and hurried over to them.

“Hey!” She gave them both a hug at the same time. “How are you ladies doing?”

“Good,” Alexis sang out. “I’m craving a peanut butter caramel brownie like my life depends on it, and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into one.”

“Mmm, that sounds good.” Faith grinned. “I’m doing well also. How about you, Julia?”

“Good,” Julia said cheerfully, leaving out the “feeling unreasonably stressed and insecure” part.

The women stepped up to the counter and ordered their drinks and pastries. Alexis got a raspberry steamer and her prized peanut butter caramel brownie, Faith got a caramel macchiato and a lavender lemon scone, and Julia got a peppermint mocha with a jelly-filled doughnut. Once they had their goodies, they found a table in a corner next to a window which offered a beautiful view of the ocean.

“How was everyone’s Friday night?” Alexis asked, eagerly pulling her brownie out of its white paper bag. “Do anything fun?”

Julia shrugged. “Cooper and I watched a movie and ate some leftover venison for dinner.”

“Venison?” Alexis echoed, sounding alarmed. “Why would you do that?”

Faith and Julia exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.

“I’ve had venison before, it’s good,” Faith offered.

Alexis shook her head. “I couldn’t do it. I feel too bad for the poor little deer. And besides, Julia, I know I’ve heard you say you don’t like gamey meats.”

Julia sighed, realizing she was going to have to explain herself to her sister. “I bought it so that I could learn how to cook it, although Cooper ended up being the one to prepare it. It’s… um… .it’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”

Alexis shook her head, seeming to be able to see right through her sister. “You hate it, don’t you?”

Julia winced. “It’s… well, it’s not my favorite. But Cooper really did do a good job of cooking it, and it’s sweet that he made it for me.”

“But why did you buy it in the first place if you don’t like venison?” Faith asked, confused. “Did Cooper ask you to?”

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