“We’ll teach you,” Wes says, leading me through the den and out onto a back deck.
“Ain’t nothin’ to it,” Robert agrees. “Just wishin’ and hopin’ for the best. Kinda like life.”
Wes laughs like he’s heard that a hundred plus times.
In the backyard, a table is set with a flowery tablecloth and mismatched coffee cups and plates. In the middle of the table is a vase with daisies, and the paper napkins have daisies on them too.
“You boys are down here,” Brenda says, pointing to the end of the table. “That way you have a nice view of the garden, Jett.”
“Thank you,” I rasp. “Everything looks amazing.” I take in the banana bread and a large plate with sandwiches.
“C’mon,” Wes says, plopping down on a chair. He rubs his hands. “This looks so good, Grandma.”
“I m-m-made the… sssssandwiches.”
“They look amazing, Mom. Egg salad.”
Evie nods, then sits next to Wes. I sit on the other side next to him, and he scoots his chair closer to mine.
Wes pats his stomach. “Love egg salad.”
Evie laughs, a lofty sound, and her eyes light up in the prettiest blue, so similar to Wes’. “I know.” She turns to me. “D-do you, Jett?”
I nod. “Yeah, I love it too. Haven’t had it in ages. These look amazing.” I accept a sandwich as Evie holds out the plate in front of me.
And they are amazing. Everything is. The banana bread is just the perfect mix of crunchy and spongy. Wes and his family catch up, but make sure to include me. I relax in the chair, sipping on a glass of homemade iced tea. The air is chilly, but I feel all warm and toasty inside. Wes’ family reminds me of my sister and her family, from the easy laughter to the welcoming hugs. There’s no pretense, just genuine affection and interest in each other. No one rushes Evie when she struggles with longer words. Wes’ hand rests on my thigh under the table the entire time, the occasional squeeze a quiet comfort.
After lunch, we walk the short distance to the beach, Wes holding my hand.
As I take in the wide expanse of the bluish-gray ocean in front of me, my heart stops for a second. My lungs tighten at the immense beauty before me. Wes throws his arm casually over my shoulder and leans against me. I like how openly affectionate he is in front of his family. I thought it would freak me out, but I actually love it. It feels like I belong to him somehow.
“I forgot how spectacular the ocean is this time of year,” I whisper.
“It’s beautiful,” Wes says softly. “I miss it.”
He looks straight at me instead of the ocean. I turn to face him, looking over his shoulder at his mom and grandparents, walking further down the shore, their backs to us. “I wanna kiss you so fucking bad right now,” I say, my eyes fixed on his plump lips.
“Then do it.” His voice is deep, tinged with warmth. “Kiss your boyfriend.” His smile lights up his entire face, and the sun makes his eyes shimmer. I wrap my fingers around the collar of his windbreaker, tugging him against me. I brush my lips against his, and he hums, his eyes fluttering closed. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude surges in my chest. For this moment. For Wes bringing me here to Cannon Beach and letting me create new memories—happier ones—with him and his family.
I close my eyes and kiss him. It’s chaste and innocent, just a mere brush of lips against lips. “Thank you,” I whisper.
His voice catches. “For what?”
I wrap my other hand around the back of his neck and tilt his head, kissing him deeper. He clings to my padded denim jacket as he comes undone in my arms. “For everything.”
I feel his smile against my lips, the small curve of his mouth. “It’s nothing,” he says, his voice raw with emotion.
I release his collar and cradle his chin. “It is. You have no idea, do you?” My chest tightens, but I’m not afraid.
His eyes grow wide. “Of what?”
“Of how much my life has changed since I met you. How it changes every day, bit by bit, for the better.”
His eyes soften. “Jett—” he croaks. I kiss him again, swallowing whatever he was about to say. I just want to taste him, draw out the kiss, and prolong this feeling of lightness for as long as I can. I’m falling for him. I know I am. It’s scary as fuck, but I don’t want to run away from it either. There are still so many things I want to tell him, that Ineedto tell him. Thewords burn on my tongue every time we’re together. Maybe soon I’ll be ready.
“Wow,” Wes pants when we break away, his eyes swimming with desire. He adjusts himself, then nods down the beach at the three small figures. A mist is gathering over the ocean, covering the sun in a milky-white blanket. “We should catch up with them.”
“Yeah.”
