Page 59 of Unspoken Love

“Absolutely. Just like attending the holiday festivities in December.”

“Your folks are here?”

“Yeah, they returned from their cruise.” He glanced around. “They usually hang out… there.” He pointed.

There was a large blue tent near the entrance of the town’s square, and she saw his parents sitting together, sipping iced coffees. They looked happy and, while they both watched, his dad leaned in and kissed his mother, who laughed and hugged him.

“It must have been nice growing up with such a happy family,” she said and instantly wished her mind hadn’t gone to the darker place of her childhood.

Faye watched Nate’s parents from across the square, the warmth between them so evident it made her chest ache. His dad whispered something into his mom’s ear that made her laugh and swat at him like a teenager. It was a glimpse into what enduring love could look like—and it stirred something deep inside her.

“It was,” Nate said, his voice softer now. He must’ve caught the slight shift in her tone.

“I don’t mean to sound, I don’t know, broken or bitter. But it’s hard to imagine what it even feels like to grow up with a loving family. My mom loved us fiercely, no doubt about that. But most of my memories are about surviving, not thriving. We were on cleanup most days with my health.”

Nate didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he took her hand and guided her away from the foot traffic, toward a quieter corner near the flower carts that the local flower shop, All in Bloom, had set up. The scent of lavender and salt air mingled between them.

“You’re not broken,” he said. “And you’ve never sounded bitter to me. Just real. And brave as hell.”

She smiled faintly, blinking away the sudden burn in her eyes. “I used to watch the way my mom locked the doors every night like someone was coming for us. The way she checked the windows three times before going to bed. I thought that was normal. That love came with fear. And silence.”

Nate’s fingers tightened around hers. “That’s not the kind of love I want you to have.”

She looked up at him, the breeze tugging a few loose strands from her braid. “I’m trying. Being with you feels like the world’s opening up for the first time.”

He leaned down, kissed her temple, then rested his forehead against hers. “We’ll keep building this new world together. And take it as slow as you need.”

Her throat tightened, but in a good way this time. “You’re going to make me cry in front of an entire town full of people.”

“Well,” he said, stepping back with a grin, “it wouldn’t be the most dramatic thing to happen in Pride.”

She laughed, brushing her eyes and giving him a playful shove. “Come on. How about we use our gift cards and grab some tacos? I’m starving after whooping your ass on the paddle board.”

He laughed and took her hand in his.

Chapter Eighteen

Nate guided Faye through the crowd, keeping a light hold around her waist so they wouldn’t get separated as they weaved past all the booths and headed toward the taco truck, which smelled like heaven. The line wasn’t too bad, and while they waited, she nudged his shoulder and pointed out the guy dressed as Uncle Sam on stilts trying to flirt with a woman who was handing out water bottles. He laughed with her, not just at the sight, but because it felt so easy being around her.

Once they were loaded down with tacos, chips, and a small mountain of fresh salsa, Nate led her over to the spot he’d claimed earlier—a shady patch under the sprawling branches of an old oak tree. He dropped the blanket, then helped her settle before flopping down beside her.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves above them, dappling her face in gold as she bit into a taco and moaned softly.

“Best taco in my life yet,” she said with her mouth half full.

“I’m tempted to go get ten more,” he said, crunching into a chip.

They ate, people-watched, and listened to the band in the gazebo switch from a country ballad to an upbeat pop song that had nearly everyone around them singing along. Kids darted past, chasing each other with sparklers, their laughter rising over the music. Someone behind them had a bubble machine going, and every now and then, a stream of floating bubbles drifted lazily through the air.

“If I don’t move soon, I’ll fall fast asleep right here.” Faye brushed a crumb from her sundress and gave him a look. “Want to walk around before the pie-eating contest starts?”

He grinned and stood, offering her his hand. “Absolutely. I need to walk off those tacos anyway.”

They wandered through the town square again, stopping to admire booths they’d missed earlier. She purchased a couple pairs of earrings from Classy and Sassy’s booth since they had a “Buy One, Get One for Your Bestie” sale going on.

Nate laughed. “You buying me some earrings?”

“Only if you had your ears pierced.”