Page 13 of Rumor Has It

“Mm-hmm?” Answering while in a daze.

Her eyes flicker to mine. “Why are you staring at me?”

“I can’t think of anything I’d rather look at than you, Kenzie.” I watch as her cheeks turn rosy with the rise and fall of her chest.

She looks over at me quickly. “Do you always say all the right things?”

“If that were possible, I’d spend my life saying them to you.” Her eyes widen slightly, before they fall to mere slights.

“One of these days, Boone, you’re going to know how much that means to me.”

I slide my hand across the seat toward her, and as if on cue, she slips hers into mine. “I already do, Kenzie.”

“So tell me why we do this dance, never as one, but completely in sync?” She wrinkles her nose, waiting for me to tell her all the things I’ve wanted to say for so long. I run my thumb over the back of her hand, needing to remember this moment for the rest of my life.

“Maybe some things go beyond words or understanding.”

She cuts her eyes at me. “Do you think people don’t get us?”

“I have no idea, but I do know, people can only think from their perspective. If you haven’t done it or lived through it, you might not see everything clearly.” My shoulders rise and fall without effort.

“I promise you, I’ll give serious thought to going with you to prom and I need you to understand why I might not.” She takes a deep breath before continuing. “It has nothing to do with me, honestly. I haven’t cared about their opinion in years, but I’d never allow them to ruin your name or gossip about you. I’d never want to hurt you.”

“Kenzie, I can handle people running their mouth but what I can’t do, is be without you.” I squeeze her hand, telling her more than words ever could. “No one will ever hurt us, unless we give them the power.”

The rest of our ride is quite, both of us lost in thought. I know now, we each have so much more we want and even need to say to the other. I’m not sure when that will ever be, but I know damn well, I want to be ready.

We get to Atlantic Beach, stopping long enough to grab some food, before setting everything up for the night. One thing’s for sure, Mackenzie’s truck is the best, and it’s perfect for camping on the beach.

“What are you doing?” Her head tilts to the side when I bury her surfboard in the ground beside her truck.

I half shrug. “Making us a home.”

“A home? I thought lawyers made mad money, and this is gonna be our house?” She giggles.

I hop in the back, tying a tarp to the top of the board. “It’s supposed to rain, so this will keep us dry.” I step around the tailgate and tie the other side down. I jump from the back, joining her as she assesses my progress.

“I don’t see it.” Her nose wrinkles.

I hold up a finger. “One second, you will.” I hurry around to the front of the truck, tying the last rope to the front bumper, and pulling it tight.

“Ohhhh, now I see it!” She laughs as I jog back. “It’s a cover over the truck like a tent.”

“I told you to have some faith, woman.”

She swats my stomach with the back of her hand. “Don’t call me woman.”

“Just calling it like I see it.” My eyes flicker to her bikini top that she’s spilling out of, making me one helluva lucky sight seer.

She gapes, covering herself. “Are you kidding me, perv!”

“I ain’t complaining.” I grin, watching her cheeks redden.

“I’m going finshin’.” She reaches past me, grabbing her fishing rod. I bite my lip when her ass brushes against me when she turns to the ocean. “Are you comin’?”

I’m about to. I clear my voice. “Yeah, just enjoying the view.”

She peeks over her shoulder, smiling coyishly. “Good to know.” Yeah, she knows what she’s doing, and I’m caught—hook, line, and sinker!