Page 29 of When Forever Comes

“Oh my goodness, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen something so beautiful,” I whisper so low I doubt West can hear me.

“Neither have I,” he says.

When I turn to look at him, his eyes are on me.

* * *

“So, what are we doing today?” Dana asks, then takes a bite of strawberry from her parfait.

“I don’t know. West hasn’t given me a hint about today’s activity. Just that we need our swimsuits.”

Dana taps her spoon against her lips as if she’s deep in thought. “Hmm, I wonder.”

Before I can ask her what she wonders, the familiar chime of the elevator fills the space and I jump up to greet West.

“Hey you,” he says, strolling forward and wrapping me firmly in his arms.

“Hey.” I look up at him and he presses a kiss to my forehead.

“What are we doing today that made you want to bring Dana?” I ask, narrowing my eyes playfully.

He pulls back, his arms still firmly around me. “Do you want to keep me all to yourself?”

My cheeks heat. Part of me does want to keep West all to myself, but he told me this activity is something he doesn’t want my sister to miss out on. That thought warms me from my head down to my toes. He’s always had a soft spot for Dana. Anytime we went to the neighborhood pool or splash park, he made sure he asked Dana if she wanted to go.

“Yes and no,” I answer honestly. I play with the collar of his Hawaiian button down, a shirt that only he can pull off. “This week has been—” I look up at him, trying and failing to find the right word.

“Incredible, amazing, perfect?”

I smile, feeling the tension ease slightly. “Thinking rather highly of yourself?”

It’s refreshing to see a confident West. He was always shy and unsure of himself in high school. I knew he could do great things. He was smart and ambitious, but his teenage insecurity held him back from trying anything beyond skateboarding and the drum line—not that being a drum major was anything to sneeze at.

“Anytime I see you smile and know I’m part of the reason for it, I think it’s incredible, amazing, and perfect. Just like you.” He leans forward, and one hand slowly skims up my spine, sending chills skittering across my skin. His touch lights me up and my heart rate kicks into overdrive. West’s blue eyes are unhidden beneath his usual sophisticated glasses, and they darken as the distance between our lips grows shorter. Just when his lips are about to brush mine, my sister’s voice rings through the moment, making West and I jump apart.

Dana has a mischievous smile. “Oops, sorry. Are we ready to go, though?” she asks, bouncing on her heels.

West looks at his watch. “Yes, I think it’s about that time.”

“Time for what?” I ask, trying to get a hint.

“Nice try, Livvy, but I’m not falling for that.”

I pout and give him my best puppy dog eyes. It never failed me before with him. His face softens, but he shakes his head.

“You don’t play fair.” He grabs my hand and laces our fingers together.

Dana walks into the elevator first and taps her foot impatiently.

“Just know we’re checking something off your bucket list,” he says.

“That doesn’t narrow it down much,” I say, staring at his lips, feeling ready to burn my bucket list if it I means I can kiss him again.

Woah, girl. Calm down.

“Patience, love.” He kisses my forehead again and I melt at his touch.

“Love?” I ask, my voice a breathy whisper.

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