Page 52 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

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After hours of pictures and a few breaks, the shoot is over. I feel great about my shots, and the designer seemed to like the preview too. But now all I want to do is get out of here with Summer.

I swing my bag over my shoulder, grab Summer’s hand, and walk us out of the building.

“That was so much fun. Thank you for letting me tag along,” Summer says. I look to see if she’s just saying that, but she has a huge smile on her face.

“Really? It wasn’t too boring?” She had to sit there for hours. Brandon and some other crew members talked to her, but I definitely wouldn’t say it was an exciting day.

“Really, Hawke. It was so much fun. The atmosphere on set was awesome, the models were all gorgeous, and watching you work was kinda hot.” Well. A little pump up for my ego there. “I know I watched you take pictures in Mexico, but watching you now, in a professional setting, was different. Your enthusiasm was contagious. And the way you made everyone feel so comfortable? Truly, it was an experience watching you do what you love. I can’t wait to see the pictures.”

I throw my bag into the trunk and pull her into me, tucking her curls behind her ear. In a low voice, I tell her, “I can tell you what to do later.” Her cheeks pinken, and I don’t give her a chance to respond before kissing her.

“Thank you for coming, Sunshine.”

She smiles, and I open the car door for her before getting in the driver’s side. I drive us back to my apartment and walk her straight to the balcony. One of the main reasons I picked this place is because I can see almost the entire city from here. I could probably upgrade at this point in my career, but I’m satisfied with it.

Summer sits in the chair next to me, and I pull her feet into my lap to rub them.

I know we need to talk, and I never thought I’d be the needy one in the relationship who wants to know what the future looks like for us, but that’s what Summer has turned me into. I need her in my life, and I want to make sure we’re on the same page. “So, how is this going to work?”

She looks over at me and sighs. “I think we’ll have to figure it out as we go. I don’t have another trip planned until next week. I can stay here for a few days and then fly back to New York to pack.”

“Where are you headed?”

“Canada. Banff specifically.”

My hand moves from her foot up to her calf. “What if I met you up there?”

“Really?” The way her voice is laced with excitement makes me the happiest man on the fucking planet.

I shrug one shoulder. “Yeah. I have a really big shoot at the end of this week. It’s the one that got postponed before Mexico. But after that, my schedule is open for a few weeks.”

She gives me the cutest smile, telling me how much she likes that plan. “I think that sounds great.”

I do too. I’ve never been to Banff. I don’t know that I’ve ever thought about going there, but I would follow Summer to the ends of the earth if she asked. Honestly, I’d follow her even if she didn’t ask, which is why I feel like, in this moment, I need to tell her how I feel. Confirm what she probably already knows. I know it’s soon, but I’ve known her for so long. Sure, we took a friendship hiatus for a while, and she pretended that she hated me, but my feelings for her have always been there. Now, I need her to know.

“I love you, Sunshine. I’ve never been in love with anyone but you. You are everything to me, and I want this to work out more than anything. If that means we meet at locations around the world every few weeks, then so be it. I’d do anything to be with you. I want you to know that.”

She pulls her leg back from me, and, for a second, I think I’ve said the wrong thing. I go over what I said, but I don’t know what would have made her mad.

She stands and walks over to me, sitting on my lap. She cups my face and studies me for a moment. My heart is beating with anticipation of what could be going on in her head.

“Hawke?”

“Yes?” My voice sounds rough and raspy, a dead giveaway for how nervous I am.

“I love you, too.”

I exhale, and she giggles. I pull her close and kiss her like a dying man. She’s mine. Finally, after all these years, I have my Sunshine. My lucky streak continues.

Epilogue

Hawke

One year later

Summer and I have been traveling the world together for three hundred and sixty-five days. The absolute best year of my life. I think she’d also agree.