Page 128 of Fly Back to Me
I wag my head, eyes squinting teasingly. “No, we can’t forgetthat.”
She quietly chuckles, drinking me in for several seconds as I do the same. “Your menu’s changed,” she states.
Her amused expression settles my brief confusion, and I pivot my head in the direction of the bar. “The Liv’s been a fan favorite.” My throat rolls, eyes returning to her. “Can’t say I’m surprised at all.”
“No?” She cocks a brow as her chin angles up.
I shake my head, licking my lips before my voice is just above a whisper. “Someone would be crazy not to give it a chance.”
Her green irises flood with nirvana, those glossy, pink lips flexing into a smile. “Take me somewhere,” she says.
“Take me somewhere.”
I’m transported back to that night. The night she came into my brewery and I told her I had a girlfriend. But in true Olivia fashion, she asked me to take her somewhere anyway.
It was so innocent. Pure.
Real.
And I know exactly where she wants to go.
My mouth flicks up at the corner. “Let me get my coat.”
Chapter 48
Olivia
The bike engine halts above the patchy ground. Cade swivels against me as my feet drop from the foot pegs, his fingers unbuckling my helmet.
I swing a leg over, brushing through my tousled waves as I greet the guardrail under the indigo sky. The stars twinkle just as intensely as every other time we’ve made it to the overlook. I’d like to think it’s the strength ofus, but I’m a daydream believer.
Small rocks crunch under my heel as the smell of fresh oak wraps around me. A gentle breeze slices through my long bangs, and I smile as I say, “I came here to write today. In the journal you gave me.”
“I’m glad you’re making use out of it,” he answers from behind.
I turn, walking toward him as he curls his palm around a chrome handlebar. “I wrote an ending to my story. I’m not sure exactly how I want to write the beginning or the specific eventsthat take place, but I do know how I want it to end.” Then I offer a casual shrug, and his gaze radiates warmth. “I figure if I know how I want to close the book, I’ll know how to fill in the gaps before.”
A hint of a smirk graces his mouth. “What’s it about?”
My bottom lip folds between my teeth as I absently turn my attention from him. “I think you might be familiar with the story,” I confess before rolling my eyes. “It’s not ourexactstory, but it’s about two people who keep finding their way back to each other.” My eyes land on him again. “No matter how well written, I figure no story could beat the reality of ours. So I plan to change up a lot of details.”
“Not a chance,” he breathes.
I grin, my head dipping to stare at the way my hands fiddle at my stomach. “I think you know you’ve found your person when you look forward to waking up to live.” My gaze elevates to his. “Instead of falling asleep to dream,” I say softly.
His throat bobs. “Is that how you feel with me?”
My head nods mildly. “Yeah,” I breathe. “I really do.”
His smile grows confidence as he peels his palm off his bike. With his hands, he ghosts my upper arms as his striking blue eyes meet mine. Then his knuckles graze my jawline on either side. “Olivia, you’ve been a walking dream ever since I found you that night. My heart just couldn’t let go of you.” He swallows thickly, plunging his attention briefly before dragging it up again. “I don’t think it was by chance I happened to be at the right place that night. I’m convinced my heart knew you were the one. The one who would change everything for me and alter my stubborn perception. Maybe my mind didn’t know just yet, but my soul fucking knew it had to keep you in this world.” His hand plants on his chest. “Right next to me. Right here,” he whispers.
Warmth blooms in my belly, sprouting to my heart as I place my fingers on top of his hand.
My stare clings there when he says, “The end of one story is the beginning of a new one.”.
My throat cocks, and I lift my eyes to his.
“That was the message inside the gift box when Jenna gave me this ring. At first, I thought the quote was referring to my change in career, and I guess given the context of my situation, that’s what its original meaning was. But now?” He nods his head in certainty. “Now I know this ring was meant to help me let go of Jenna and bring me to an even greater destination. I still wear it because I was given these wings to fly where I was meant to.You.”
