Page 64 of By the Book

“Yeah, I don’t know what that means either.”

I pick up one of the tiny square cartons and begin unfolding the lid. “That’s okay, just know this is perfect.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and smiles as he kisses my temple. Tonight feels significant, like taking a step into establishing what is happening between us. And I’m ready for that step, I’m ready to take all the steps with him. To be reckless and hopelessly in love with my protector, my lifelong supporter, my friend.

“I have a confession to make,” he says halfway through the movie.

I sit up from my spot tucked under his arm, secure against his chest. “What’s that?”

“I didn’t want to just celebrate your store tonight. Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing how you persevered and re-opened so quickly. And I mean it when I say that you have this way about you, this way of romanticizing reading that captivates everyone that comes in. But Millie asked me a question yesterday that I haven’t been able to shake. And I was hoping we could talk about it.”

“When she told you to talk to someone?” I recall. Studying him, I notice the way he seems to grow more nervous with each moment. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him nervous before. Flustered, once. The day we first met in my parents’ kitchen. But never nervous.

“Exactly,” he confirms.

“What question did she ask you?”

He pauses the movie and gulps. “She asked if you and I were finally together. And I really hated that I couldn’t answer her.”

My breath hitches as I ask, “What would you have liked to tell her?”

“I wanted to tell her that yes, Ivy and I are absolutely together. Honey, Iwanta real relationship and everything that comes with it.”

Wrapping my hand across the back of his neck, I tilt up and pull him just to the edge of a kiss. “I want that too,” I say before closing the remaining distance between our lips.

Dragging his mouth from mine, he continues, “For me, a real relationship would mean no secrets.”

“That part isn’t going to be easy,” I whisper, imagining what it will be like to explain our relationship to my family, specifically, my brother.

“No, it won’t be easy.” He cups my face, staring into my eyes with a quiet determination. “But I think it will be worth it. To have you, fully.”

“It’s worth it,” I agree. “You’re worth it.” I don’t have prettier words at this moment. My brain is in too much of a love induced fog, as heavy as the fog rolling in off the sea outside.

The smell of salty sea air reaches me before I open my eyes. It’s an instant reminder that I didn’t go home last night. Instead, I am in a cozy, weathered, seaside cottage. Tripp’s cozy, weathered, seaside cottage.

I inhale deeply, and the smell of the ocean mingles with the delightful smell of the man beside me. It’s a perfect combination, and I want to wake up to it every morning. Rolling onto my side, I open my eyes and take in the sight of a sleeping Tripp Forester. His sculpted face is softened by the morning light, and he looks content as he slumbers beside me.

Without warning, he reaches out and curls me into his side. His eyes flutter open as a smile stretches across his face. “Good morning, my little Sherlock.”

I trail kisses across his chest before resting my head on him. “I like waking up beside you,” I sigh.

He gently grazes his hand up and down my bare back, sending shivers along my spine. He nods at my words, a hum of agreement escaping his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,” he whispers after a moment.

My heartbeat flutters, it feels surreal being the reason he’s at his happiest. I plant another kiss on his chest and admit with a smile, “I spent years harboring this crush, I can’t believe I actually get you now.”

Lifting my chin until our eyes meet, he shakes his head. “Ivy, you’ve had me from that first moment, the first time you flashed me this smile.”

I giggle as I recall the way he nearly hit his head on the kitchen island light. I guess that could have been a clue, if I’d been paying attention all those years ago. There’d been many since then, just as I couldn’t help but let my feelings show from time to time.

And it’s a lovely thing, isn’t it? To realize you’ve been slipping into loving one another all along.

10 years ago

Tripp

“Captain, you’re on,” Coach barks, grabbing the facemask of my helmet and shaking me out of my thoughts. My adrenaline is thrumming in my veins, I feel wired enough to lift a car. Wired enough to go to battle.

I’ve got the eye black for battle, now smudged down my face from sweat in the final quarter of the game. It’s the state championships and we’re down by one. As the captain, I’m the one that must step up and bring this home for the team.

---