“Like?”
“Like when I look at the sky, I think of you. Is it raining in Oak Valley? Did you remember to put on sunscreen? Is your hair starting to turn lighter like it always did down deep in July?” There’s another pause as he moves behind me. A warm breath on the back of my neck where his lips press a reckless kiss. Hands, anywhere they can reach, disappearing under the waterline and moving across my stomach. My heart thumping while I greedily wait for more. “Sometimes when I’m feeling lonely and stupid, I let my imagination wander. The dreams I have when I’m there are ones I’ve never really let myself believe in.”
“What kind of dreams?” I’m barely whispering, but it feels like I’m shouting. Toeing the precipice of a dangerous ledge.
“I had this wild idea that maybe you were thinking about me too. We were tied together, kind of. The stars and the moon and the tides and the sun. And us. Quincy and Sebastian. Two idiots who were waiting for the perfect time to get it right. When I was really going out of my mind, I pretended there was a world where I was the one who made you happy. Where you picked me every time.” His voice cracks. I’m no longer breathing. “And no storm I’ve ever chased has brought me the same kind of high as that fantasy.”
I swallow. Something warm and tender squeezes behind my ribs, a viselike grip that refuses to let go. It would be so easy to swim away from him. To brush this conversation off as too serious, but I stay put. I put my hand on his chest and feel his heart beat in tune with mine.
The stars and the moon and the tides and the sun.
And us.
“Maybe I could come visit one day,” I say, and his eyes sparkle. “If you have space for a guest.”
“I have plenty of space for a guest. Short-term guests. Long-term guests. Whatever kind of guest you want to be.”
“An open-ended guest,” I offer. “Who isn’t sure about the future yet, but wants to leave the door ajar.”
“I’ll keep it ajar for as long as you like.” Sebastian strokes his thumb over my cheek. “The longer I’m here, the more I don’t miss a damn thing about being up there. How could I, when I’m spending time with my friends. When I’m hunting down tornadoes and falling asleep to rain on my window. Sleeping with this absolute babe also helps.”
“Please.” I laugh. The heaviness from the moment before breaks. “I’m not a babe.”
“Are you kidding?”
“Areyoukidding? You don’t have to toss a compliment my way because we’re sleeping together. I’m still going to come over tomorrow even if you don’t flatter me.”
“And if I want to?” He rests his hand on my cheek, palm slick with salt and sunscreen. He smells like the vanilla soft serve we all ate an hour ago, lounging in beach chairs while the ice cream melted down our arms. “If I wanted to tell you I think you’re unbelievably smart, what would you say?”
“I’d ask if you were sure.”
“Ah.” He nods, hand moving to my neck and closing around my throat. He drums his fingers along the line of my windpipe. “I get it now. Men haven’t complimented you the way you deserve, have they? It’s a good thing I’m here, then. You’re goddamn gorgeous, Quincy. I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you all day. But your brain?Fuck.Your brilliant, beautiful brain. It’s my favorite thing about you. In some of those dreams, I get off just from hearing you talk. You are, without a doubt, the smartest person I’ve ever met.”
The ocean almost sweeps me out to sea. I’m weak on my feet, starry-eyed from his confession. My heart nearly trips over itself, and I suck in a breath.
“You really think that?” I ask, the question scooped up by the wind.
“Yeah.” Sebastian toys with the straps of my bathing suit again. In an act of boldness that might be fueled from too long in the sun, or maybe it’s the giddiness I’m feeling too, he drops a kiss to the top of my head. “I do.”
Quiet contentment hangs between us. A seagull caws overhead. Somewhere nearby, a jet ski engine revs. So many things said, others left unsaid, but in the moment, it’s exactly right.
“Sebastian?”
“Yeah, Quincy?”
“Do you want to chase Georgianna with me?”
“The summer girl and the golden weather boy teaming up for the year’s biggest storm? My fan club is going to behypedto see me again,” he says, and I launch myself at him. I wrap my arms around his middle and tackle him, both of us falling into the waves with a splash. “Damn, woman. You have some fire in you.”
“And you’re my least favorite person in the world.”
“Doubtful, judging by how hard you’re smiling right now.” Sebastian touches his thumb to the corner of my mouth. “Of course I’ll chase with you, Quinny baby. I thought you’d never ask.”
Later at dinner, we sit across from each other. Our friends talk about the day and a possible hurricane party. There’s sunburn and wine and exhausted laughter, and all the while, I’m sneaking glances at Sebastian, not surprised to find him looking right back at me.
