Page 82 of Missing Pieces (Men of Manhattan 3)

"Are you trying to get me arrested so I can't join the marines?"

"If that's an option...then yes." I squirmed beneath him as he laughed. God that laugh. That would be one of the things I missed the most. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Then we better make tonight memorable." He smiled seductively.

"By getting arrested for public indecency? Deal."

He laughed again. "No, by facing your fears and seeing this amazing view before the sun sets completely." He gave me a chaste kiss and pulled me to my feet.

I could feel the buzz of the alcohol coursing through me. I felt brave and safe and whole. Because of him. I really would miss him. The feeling of his hand in mine and his arms around me. The intensity of his blue eyes. The way he looked so surprised by some of the things that came out of my mouth. Like I was embarrassing, but he loved me anyway. Love. I stole a glance at him as we made our way back onto the pier. Was this really love? Was that crazy? It felt real to me.

"Hey, look," I said and pointed to a sign in the middle of the boardwalk. "Santa Monica. 66. End of the Trail." I pulled him toward it. "We have to get a picture!"

"You're just procrastinating."

"No, I just realized I didn't take a single picture this whole time. My dad's never going to believe I was here," I said with a laugh.

Tyler pulled out his phone. "Okay, I'll ask someone to take one for us."

"Don't bother strangers, we can take a selfie."

"Don't bother strangers? Since when did that become your motto? I'm pretty sure you jumping into my car last week was bothering a stranger."

I lightly hit his arm and tried to resist wrapping my fingers around his bicep. "I don't think I was a bother at all. Look how far we've both come." I pointed to the sign again.

Tyler laughed. "Fine." He held out his phone in front of us.

"Wait, I have a better idea." I stepped up onto the bench next to the sign and climbed onto Tyler's back.

He started laughing again. I really did love his laugh. It instantly made me smile. He snapped a picture with our cheeks pressed together cheesing for the camera.

"It's perfect," I said. I couldn't remember the last time I had looked so happy.

"Now it's time for the Ferris wheel."

"If you insist." Before I could slide down his back, he started walking back toward the pier. I tightened my hold on his shoulders and nestled my face into his neck. I don't think anyone had ever carried me piggyback style in public. Besides for when I was a kid with my dad. There was something so comforting about it. I loved how carefree Tyler was. He didn't care about what anyone else thought. He just wanted to make me happy. I closed my eyes. I wanted to remember this moment. I couldn't think of a better way to sear it into my memory than by focusing on how whole I felt.

When we came to a stop in the line next to the Ferris wheel, I slid down his back. I didn't even bother to look up. No matter what, I knew I was safe when I was with Tyler. There wasn't anything to be scared of.

"You don't seem hesitant at all anymore," he said as he smiled down at me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Maybe you're rubbing off on me."

He laughed as he scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I don't know about that."

"What? You're probably the bravest person I know."

"You do remember that a few days ago you called me a coward, right?"

"Which I didn't mean. Obviously. Really you were just being an asshole and I was mad at you."

He raised both his eyebrows. "I don't know which one is more offensive...being an ass or being a coward."

"It doesn't really matter. You're neither of those things." I cleared my throat. "Speaking of being brave, you're going to be careful right?" It had suddenly hit me just how dangerous his new career was. I'd be worried about him.

"We're up," he said.

I didn't have time to focus on the fact that he hadn't answered my question. Because as soon as I stepped up to the ride, my stomach seemed to drop. How was the flimsy looking bar supposed to protect me from falling to my death? I gripped Tyler's hand even tighter as we sat down.

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