He squeezes my hand. “Life will probably always be crazy, baby doll. But I have you with me so that helps me get through it.”
I roll my eyes and he grins. “What?”
“So cheesy,” I say, poking him in the stomach.
He blows a raspberry. “I’m sorry my love for you ischeesy.”
I poke him again and reaches out and tickles my ribs, making me squeal and flail to get him away.
“If you think what I said was cheesy… well…” Jett runs a hand through his wind-blown hair and gives me a look.
“Well, what?” I say.
He shrugs. “You’re about to see the ultimate biggest cheesy thing ever.”
I lift an eyebrow but he doesn’t explain anymore. He just keeps walking.
“Oh, come on,” I say, grabbing his hand. “You have to tell me. What’s cheesy?”
“You’ll see…”
And I do.
At the very end of the beach, where the public part of the sand ends for a row of private beach houses, Jett has pulled out all the stops when it comes to cheesy surprises. His best friend D’andre stands before us, his hands clasped in front of him as if he were a butler or something.
“Hello, lovebirds,” he says, winking at me. In a swift motion, he steps to the side and reveals what’s been set up behind him with a sweeping of his hand through the air.
A plaid blanket is laid out on the sand. Large candles in glass mason jars are sitting on all four corners of the blanket to hold it down, and they’re lit, their flames glowing in the evening sun. A picnic basket is in the middle of the blanket, along with a small cooler, a few pillows, and a Bluetooth speaker.
“I did everything you asked,” D’andre say as he fist bumps Jett in their usual hello gesture. “I also brought a speaker. Figured you could play some romantic music or some shit.”
“Nice,” Jett says. “Thanks, man.”
“Anytime.” He waves goodbye and then jogs off down the beach, leaving us here at this romantic little set up.
“You arranged a picnic for us?” I say.
Jett grins. “I know… it’s kind of lame. But I also thought it’d be fun. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It’s perfect,” I say. I grab his sides and kiss him, closing my eyes and allowing myself to really feel every part of his kiss. Jett’s soft lips on mine, the slight minty smell of his toothpaste mixed with the salt in the air. The way the scruff of his chin brushes against my face.
“I love you,” I whisper.
His hands slide up and down my back. “I love you more.”
We sit on the blanket and eat dinner, which is a very cool and very chic meat, cheese, and veggie ensemble that Jett had D’andre pick up from the local French Market in downtown Lawson. We watch the ocean turn from blue to orange as the sun begins to set, and down the beach a little ways, someone makes a bonfire which smells like summer.
After the sun has set, Jett and I listen to music and lay side by side, watching the stars while the ocean gently crashes onto the shore.
“I had fun today,” I say, nuzzling against his chest.
“I’m glad.” Jett exhales slowly, his gaze fixed on the stars. “I’m sorry things have been hard lately. I hate coming home and knowing you’re upset with me.”
“I’m not—” I begin, but I know it’d be a lie. I sigh and try to gather my thoughts. How can I tell Jett I worry that I’m not good enough for him? What if my confession makes him realize it for the first time?
“Your life is so much cooler than mine,” I say after a while. I can tell Jett is listening intently to every word I say, so I try to choose the right ones to define what I’m feeling. “I’m just afraid you’re going to pass me by.”
“Our lives are the same, Keanna. I mean…we’re two different people with sometimes different schedules, but we’re on the same track. Two passengers—same train.”
