Page 123 of You're The One
Then she brushes past me, back toward the bar, spine straight and head high.
She didn’t cry. Didn’t yell. Didn’t ask me to reconsider.
I should feel relieved.
Instead, all I can think is: that went a little too well.
THIRTY-EIGHT
“Baby.”
I wrap my arms around Mia’s waist and spin her, grinning like a damn fool. It’s only been twenty-two hours—yes, I counted—but I’m so fucking happy to see her.
Starting our date at sunrise wasn’t purely for the romance. It was strategic. Maximum Mia time.
“Didn’t we talk about this?” she grumbles as I set her down.
“I will always respect your boundaries,” I say, placing a hand over my heart, “but can you let me have this? Don’t take pet names away from me. I like you mean, just notthatmean.”
An adorable furrow forms between her brows. “Fine.”
“Thank you, baby.” I press a kiss to the spot, and the line smooths.
From behind me, I grab a neon-pink helmet and place it onto her head. “Knew I’d get you to embrace reflective gear eventually.”
She peers around me. “We’re going onthat?”
“Yep. Don’t worry, this isn’t my first time.” I lean in, lowering my voice. “And we get more alone time, leaving the crew to trail behind us.”
Her lips twitch up. “You’ve thought of everything. What are we doing?”
“We’re living like locals. Well, slightly touristy locals.” I pause. “Figured you, being the travel addict you are, would want something authentic. So, I’m taking you to my favorite spots.”
She squints up at me. “How many times have you been to Hawaii?”
I tip my head side to side. “Three, I think. It’s one of my favorite off-season places to unwind. But I’ve never really had someone to share it with. Took my dad once, and a group of teammates another time, but never a… you.”
She wordlessly grabs the other neon-green helmet and motions for me to bend down. When I do, she carefully fastens it under my chin, her fingers brushing my jaw as she works.
I wonder if she even realizes how domestic this feels. How easy we are together. How right it is.
I’ve got just over a week to convince her, in case she hasn’t already caught on.
I hop on, bracing the moped and offering her a hand. She climbs on behind me, arms looping around my waist. I don’t miss the way her thumbs drag lazily over my abs.
“Ready?” I give her hand a quick squeeze before starting the engine, which lets out more of a whine than a rumble.
She nods, resting her chin on my shoulder.
We cruise along, adjacent to the beach, her laugh getting lost in the wind every time we lean into a curve. After a while, we stop at a small roadside stand with a faded sign for malasadas. I order an iced coffee for her and grab an extra donut for myself. After she finishes hers, she steals a bite of mine, and I don’t complain. When we pull up to Diamond Head, the sky’s starting to shift, soft and streaked with color.
The hike’s not long, but there are just enough steps to make you question your life choices. By the time we reach the top,we’re both a little winded and my shirt’s stuck to my back. But the look on Mia’s face as she takes in the view makes it all worth it.
The crew have picked a spot along the edge of the lookout, our backs to the rough concrete wall. Mia perches beside me, knees pulled up, eyes on the horizon—and mine on her.
“It’s beautiful.”
“It is.”
