Page 193 of Well That Happened

Yeah. This is what heaven feels like.

I’m so fucking happy she had today off. We all needed it. It’s been an interesting couple of days. Her working long hours, us getting used to being in California. But everything’s starting to click again.

I paddle toward shore, shake the water from my hair, and jog up the sand. The sun’s dipping lower, casting everything in that golden hour glow people chase in photoshoots. But this? This isn’t filtered or posed. This is real.

She glances up and shields her eyes, grinning. “You done pretending to be a pro surfer?”

“I’ll have you know I caught, like, two and a half waves,” I say, flopping onto the towel beside her. “And didn’t die once.”

“Wow. A personal best.”

“Don’t patronize me. I know I looked hot doing it.”

“You looked like a golden retriever falling off a paddle board.”

I gasp. “Rude. Accurate. But rude.”

She laughs, and it’s everything. The breeze, the light, thefact that she’s here. I feel it all settle in my chest like a puzzle finally snapping into place.

I lean back on my elbows and just look at her for a second. The pink flush on her cheeks, the way her fingers absentmindedly play with the edge of the towel. She’s a little sun-drunk, a little sleepy. And still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Hey,” I say softly, nudging her knee. “You good?”

She nods, smile lazy. “Just tired. Too much sun. My brain is melting.”

“Wanna head back soon?”

“Yeah.” She leans her head on my shoulder, and I swear my heartbeat skips. “Grayson mentioned steaks.”

“He’s been planning that all week. We were just so fucking happy you have today off.”

“And tomorrow,” she reminds me with a smile.

I grin and press a kiss to the top of Rilee’s head.

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe. Like the part of me that’s been on hold since she left has finally unclenched.

“You’re smiling,” Rilee says, nudging me.

I look down at her. “Yeah?”

“Like… really smiling.”

I shrug. “I got my girl back. Life’s good.”

She softens. “Yeah. It really is.”

And when she reaches for my hand and threads her fingers through mine, I know—

I’m not letting go again.

The second we get home, Rilee makes a beeline for the bathroom, mumbling something about sand in places sand shouldneverbe.

“Don’t get too comfortable without me,” I call after her.

Her voice floats back, tired and teasing. “Didn’t invite you, surfer boy.”

I grin and toss my keys on the counter.Challenge accepted.

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