Page 178 of Worth the Trip

That was enough.

Eventually, Nolani lifted her head.

“How far did you get?”

“Three pages.”

“That’s all?”

“You kept making little noises every time I turned one.”

“I did not.”

“Aight, love. Tide was commenting on the plot.”

She pinched me again.

I caught her hand and kissed it.

“You’re determined to accuse me of producing sleep-related sound effects.”

“I preserve history accurately.”

“For who?”

“Future generations.”

She stared at me. “You’ve been my man since last night and already creating archives?”

“Hopeful romantic with organizational skills. Respect the range.”

Her laughter rolled across the beach.

I watched her stretch beside me, sunlight catching her face and my hoodie slipping along her shoulders.

“You been looking at me all day,” she said.

“Looked at you all day yesterday too. Consistency.”

“Your eyes need a less demanding schedule.”

“Nah. They finally got assigned somewhere they like working.”

Her smile showed before she could stop it.

“You always have something to say.”

“’Cause you keep giving me something worth talking about.”

She looked at me for a second.

Then took my hand.

I kissed hers.

We packed the picnic together. Nothing complicated. No lesson. No performance. Just her handing me containers, me folding the blanket, both of us finding excuses to touch each other whenever we crossed paths.

When everything was packed, Nolani stood facing the water with her sandals hanging from one hand. I placed the bags near our feet and stepped behind her, wrapping both arms around her waist.