Page 109 of Bayside Heat
Matt beamed proudly. “You’re right, buddy. I think a group field trip to Woods Hole is in order.”
“It’s okay,” Dean said. “I’ll give Em an intense science lesson and teach her everything she needs to know about organisms.”
“You can borrow Daddy’s book!” Hagen offered, earning laughter all around.
Since it was too late for doughnuts, they promised Hagen some for breakfast. Before returning to the boat, they escorted Matt, Mira, and Hagen to Serena’s apartment. Everyone admired her view and her chic furnishings, and Hagen couldn’t stop talking about how cool it was that her bedroom walls didn’t reach the ceiling. But Serena’s mind was on anything but furniture and walls. This was the first time her friends had been inside her new apartment. It was crowded, but that made it feel a little more right. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed seeing her friends flop on her couch and poke around in her kitchen. She had a feeling she’d think about those everyday things a little more often now.
“We should probably let them get settled in,” Rick said as he set a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “See you at breakfast tomorrow.”
As everyone said their goodbyes, Mira leaned closer to Serena and whispered, “I’d bet chocolate organisms are about as close as any of us are going to get to the real thing tonight.” She grabbed Serena’s hand and pulled her in for a hug. “Drake’s a whole different man. It’s good to see you two so happy.”
“It’s nice to be this happy,” Serena said. “Have fun with your boys.”
“I have a feeling we’ll have a wiggly little boy between us all night. But trust me, sometimes that’s just as nice as loving my man. Family,” she said dreamily. “You know it’s always been everything to me.”
Serena glanced at Drake standing by the door hugging Hagen goodbye. “I know. For all of us, I think.”
She hated thinking about saying goodbye tomorrow. The other night she’d confided in Gavin the things she couldn’t confide in these friends or in Drake. She knew they’d try to fix her issues or push her to come back home, and she needed time to figure out what she really wanted without that pressure. She’d told Gavin her concerns about working with people she didn’t like, missing the casualness of business on the Cape, and hating the hours after she said good night to Drake each evening, when she was alone in her apartment, feeling the distance between them like a villain in the dark. Gavin had all the same business concerns, but it seemed his other concerns, though different, were even bigger than hers. He’d lived in Boston for years and had yet to find close-knit friends who made him want to put down roots. Serena didn’t want to be that person five years from now, feeling empty inside and wondering if she’d made the right choice.
As Drake set Hagen on his feet and reached for her, she went willingly into his strong, loving arms. Gavin was seeking his path, and she was clearly, and unexpectedly, still seeking hers. But she knew one thing for sure: She could handle figuring out her complicated life as long as Drake and her friends were in it.
Chapter Twenty-One
“AREN’T GOODBYES SUPPOSED to get easier?” Serena asked as she hugged everyone for the millionth time Sunday afternoon.
“Only if you don’t like the people you’re leaving,” Matt said as he squeezed her against him. “This was fun. I’m glad Drake didn’t mind bringing us along.”
“I’d never rip my girl off from seeing everyone.” Drake pulled Serena into his arms and kissed her.
He looked about as sleepy as Serena felt. They hadn’t slept much last night. They’d lain beneath the stars talking and kissing, waiting for everyone else to fall asleep so they could finally, blissfully, make sweet, passionate love. Keeping quiet wasn’t easy, especially when Drake knew every single pleasure point on her body and always seemed to discover more. Luckily, he was a master at silencing her with delicious kisses that made her body melt and her head spin.
“I love you guys,” Serena said as she and Drake made their way to the dock with her work clothes and heels packed away in her messenger bag.
