"What’s up with you and your double negatives?"
My eyes roll, a laugh bubbling up despite myself. "You're such a dork."
"Andy," he whispers, his voice so soft it makes my heart ache.
My smile widens, my heart feeling like it might explode.
"Yeah?"
"I love you. I've loved you for such a long time. I tried, too, but I can't. I can't ever not be in love with you either."
He pulls my face to his, kissing me before I can lose myself in tears. My hands slide from his wrists to rest on his waist and finally, for the first time, I let all my reservations go. I kiss him back with everything I have in me, the way I've dreamt of doing from the very start.
When I first met Vince, he brought my spark for life back without even trying. I went back and forth a million times, getting my hopes up and then convincing myself he'd never feel the same way. I thought I'd have to learn to be content as just his friend. For a while, I even believed I could.
But I was kidding myself.
Because the man in my arms isn't just a friend. He's my soulmate. I'm not even sure I believed in soulmates before Vince. How he ended up feeling the same way about me, I have no idea,but I'm the luckiest person in the world.
His gentle kiss deepens against my lips, the wind whipping around us in sharp gusts. My hair flies in every direction, and I can't stop laughing when he nips at my bottom lip.
"Hey, now..." I warn, a grin breaking across my face.
He smiles cheekily, his warm brown eyes lighting up with mischief. "Excuse me, was that some sort of weird threat?"
"Maybe," I tease, unable to stop the giddy laugh bubbling out of me.
My hands travel under his jacket, pressing against the warm skin of his lower back. He groans softly before burying his face into my neck. His breath tickles as his mouth traces a trail of kisses along my skin, tugging my jacket to the side to continue down to my shoulder. Goosebumps prickle across every inch of me, and I feel like I'm floating, untethered from the sandy shore beneath my feet.
Okay, maybe this is escalating a little quickly.
I don't care.
His smell, his warmth, his everything.I can't get enough. I let my nails lightly drag up his back, the friction sending sparks through me, frustrated at how much I want him. When he moans against my neck, deep and gravelly, I swear I nearly come undone right then and there.
My hands slide around to his sides, pressing flat against his stomach before finding the hem of his pants. His mouth returns to mine, urgent and rough, and his hands hold my face as I fumble with the button on his jeans. He kisses me like he'll never get another chance, his tongue sliding into my mouth with a hunger that makes my knees weak—
"What the hell is going on out here!"
I freeze, Aubrey's voice slashing through the wind like ice water. My hands instantly still, relief flooding me that I haven't undone the button yet.
Vince freezes too, his hot breath still against my neck as he buries his face there, clearly fighting to compose himself.
My wide eyes dart toward the trail where Aubrey stands with Gary, both wearing masks of shock and barely suppressed hilarity.
"I knew it!" Aubrey yells, pointing at us with exaggerated triumph. "I fucking knew it! You guys suck so bad at hiding it!" He grabs Gary's arm, yanking at him. "Gary, did you know?!"
Gary remains frozen for a heartbeat, his blue eyes locking with mine, as wide as saucers. Then his face breaks into the widest grin I've ever seen.
Vince laughs softly against my neck, muttering curses under his breathabout Aubrey and Gary ruining our moment. I hug him tightly, my grin spreading to match Gary's.
I'm lucky... so damn lucky for him, for Gary, for this strange, chaotic, incredible group of people who've stormed into my life.
Moving to LA felt like a fresh start, but tonight, I realize it's more than that. It's a whole new chapter, and for the first time, I can see exactly where it's heading.
I hold Vince closer, overwhelmed with gratitude—for him, for us, for everything.
Chapter 31
