Page 62 of Coastal Rewind

The wall was lined with photos at every stage of life. They were portraits so high definition that you could see every bead of sweat and every wrinkle—every emotion. To me, these photos showed we were all in different stages but experienced the same struggle. Emotions were ageless. Being human was ageless. An ongoing cycle that everyone experienced no matter where they’re from.

“The reason I love photography is because a single photo can elicit something different in everyone. It can resonate with you and remind you of personal memories that no one else has.”

Mason’s grip on me tightened. “Have you ever considered opening up a space for your own art?”

I considered his question, but kept my eyes locked on the portrait in front of me. I didn’t know how to articulate the reason why without scaring him. A gallery meant permanence. Staying in one place.

“I never really considered it as a possibility,” I lied. “My photographs are my self-expression. Never really considered that others would care that much.”

“Maybe it’s something to start thinking about. Your work deserves to be in the spotlight.”

“Maybe.” I smiled up at him and he leaned down to kissed me.

“Come on. There’s one more stop tonight.” He laced his fingers through mine and walked me back out to the car. We loaded up and I watched the city lights pass out my window, feeling a little somber.

This was by the far the best date I’d ever been on. We were actually having fun and I didn’t feel the need to act like a different version of myself, but something about Mason’s question at the gallery had me questioning what we were exactly doing here.

He knew I was leaving. He knew I never stayed in one place, yet he made suggestions that meant the opposite. I wasn’t in the business of shattering hearts like a rock through a stained glass window.

Mason pulled onto a dirt road and rolled up to a lookout before turning around and backing in. When he shifted into park, I looked over at him.

“Oh, so you showed me art before my murder so those are my last memories? That’s so sweet.”

Mason shook his head and opened his door. “Just get out of the car.”

I sighed and opened my door. The moment I stepped out, music filled my ears. I walked up to the wooden fence on the cliff’s edge and peered out where an outdoor stadium was lit up in the distance.

I could hear “Still into You” by Paramore playing, and I turned to see Mason sitting in the trunk of the car with a blanket set out, a glass bottle in his hand.

“How did you plan this?”

“When we first moved here, I’d bring MJ to listen to music. Just kind of became one of my favorite hidden spots in the city.”

I burst out a laugh before my hips started swaying to the music. Mason handed me a drink as I closed my eyes and just let the nature and music absorb into my soul. When the song changed to the next Paramore hit, I climbed into the trunk and leaned against Mason.

“In one night you have shocked me, Mason Saxley.”

“I told you, I’m not just a pretty face.”

“Oh, don’t worry, you’re still a pretty face. A man of many talents.”

Mason reached behind him to pull a blanket out. He draped it over us and we leaned against the back seats to settle in and listen to the concert below.

“So…” I glanced up at him. “You managed to plan three activities that were absolutely perfect. How are you single?”

Mason chuckled but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I haven’t really taken the time to date. I also hadn’t found anyone I wanted to make the time for. Until you.” He peered down at me, and I swear my heart skipped a beat.

“Why me?”

He shifted his mouth to one side. “A few summers ago, on that boat in Lake Powell, the moment I laid eyes on you it was like my world shifted. You were beautiful, but it was your energy that really got to me. How free you were. How your face lit up when you talked to your siblings. I fell a little that first night.”

I sucked in a breath. “You’ve wanted to date me since then?”

“I wasn’t sure at first, but then MJ fell asleep on your lap during your girls’ night. That was the moment you stole a piece of my heart that didn’t click back into place until you walked through my front door in April.”

I leaned up and crashed my mouth to his, pouring all the words I couldn’t say into him. I wasn’t blind to our chemistry on that first trip, but I ignored it. That type of connection was dangerous for me.

I pulled back and settled into his chest. One question lingered on my mind like a ticking time bomb. I swallowed my fear and let the words out.