Page 38 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
Did he have any idea how much that meant to her? “You sure do know how to make a girl walk on air,” she said as she wound her arms around his neck. “Now kiss me before I climb you like a tree.”
And he did.
Thoroughly.
Just as she felt herself walking on air, he pulled out his phone and checked the time, making her painfully aware of their morning together coming to an end.
HAVING LOST TRACK of time, they had to hurry. There were so many things Drake wanted to say and do, but suddenly words evaded him. On the walk back to Serena’s apartment, he tried to ignore the pang of longing already forming in his gut. He contemplated backing out of the sailing trip with Hagen in order to stay with Serena a few hours longer, but he couldn’t do that to his nephew. But leaving Serena also felt like the wrong thing to do. They’d only just come together. He’d lived practically every day of the last four years with her by his side. Five days apart seemed like an eternity, and he hadn’t even left yet.
When they crossed the harbor, she thanked him again for driving up from the Cape, and he heard a hint of sadness in her voice, tugging at his heartstrings even more. By the time they reached her block, they were holding each other tighter, walking slower, as if they could delay the inevitable. He wondered when he’d become such a wimp that he couldn’t push the heartache away. She’d opened Pandora’s box, and the trouble was, he didn’t want to close it, or push any of his emotions aside any longer.
Across the street from her apartment building, a group of people were playing music on the grass. Serena’s eyes lit up and she opened her mouth, like she was going to say something. In the next breath, the light in her eyes dimmed. He knew she was worried about time. He had to leave right away, but there was no way he’d leave without a smile on his girl’s face.
“Come on,” he said, and headed across the street.
She hurried to keep up. “You can’t be late for Hagen.”
“I’ll drive fast.”
They stepped onto the sidewalk and crossed the lawn to the group of musicians. A guy and a girl lay on a blanket taking selfies, a banjo resting by their feet. Beside them, two guys were playing guitars and a girl held a saxophone, singing along. A few feet away, a woman with long hair was teaching a redheaded man to play the guitar.
Serena snuggled against Drake’s side and said, “Remind you of home?” Their go-to event with their friends had always been bonfires on the beach. Sometimes all of Matt’s siblings and in-laws would come, along with Harper’s siblings and some of their other friends. Drake and the guys would play the guitar, making up songs as they went.
“Almost.” What he wanted to say suddenly became very clear. He waited for one of the guys to set down his guitar. Then he pulled out his wallet and said, “Excuse me. I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you’ll loan me your guitar so I can sing my girlfriend a song.”
The guy’s eyes widened. “Sure, man. Take it.” He held out the guitar, and Drake gave him the cash.
“Drake!” Serena’s beautiful eyes widened with shock.
He leaned in and kissed her. “This is for you, Supergirl.”
He played the tune for “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, modifying the lyrics just for her. He was vaguely aware of the guy who had lent him the guitar videoing him singing.
I’ll do it all
Just for you
Every day
I don’t need
Anyone
Or anything else
Emotions brimmed in her eyes. He continued playing the guitar as he kissed her cheek and then fell back into the song.
When I’m with you
Just by your side
Everything feels right
It’s become clear
What to do
How to feel
