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He smiled at her description of the scent. He never would have come up with that combination himself, but she was exactly right.
“Where did you find heliotrope?” she asked as she breathed them in again.
“Right there.” He pointed to the right side of the mural, and down in the corner she’d painted a patch of heliotrope; the purple was bright and beautiful against the backdrop of pink and yellow flowers and long blades of bright green grass.
The overlook had always been their special place—where they’d first met and where they’d made so many promises to each other.
Promises that he hoped would last forever.
* * *
REESE COULDN’T BELIEVE Trent had thought to pick the very flowers they’d used like wishing stars. Then again, before they’d moved to New York, he’d been so romantic and thoughtful that she shouldn’t have been surprised. He took one of the flowers and tucked the stem behind her ear. “There’s my island girl.”
“I promise never to give up a chance for a picnic with you again.”
“And I promise never to put my career ahead of you.”
Her eyes were soft with emotion as she said, “I promise to always hang my wet towels up.”
Loving the way she could go from serious to playful, he chimed in with, “And I promise to always put the cap on the toothpaste tube.”
They leaned in to kiss again, but before her lips touched his, a female voice said, “Get a room, lovebirds.”
They both turned at the sound of Sierra’s voice. His sister was smiling, obviously pleased to have found Reese and Trent kissing.
“Trent brought me flowers. Aren’t they pretty?” Reese didn’t know why she was nervous. She loved Sierra like a sister. Trent slid a hand to her lower back, and the gentle touch helped ease her nerves. “I was just thanking him.”
“It’s okay, Reese. You can kiss my brother all you want,” Sierra assured her. “I’m so glad you’re dating again. I hated when you two were broken up. It wasn’t fun being between a lifelong friend and my brother.”
Reese was riding her own roller coaster of emotions, thinking back to the few guys she’d dated over the years and how she’d told Sierra and their other friends that she’d never felt connected to any of them. She remembered just how careful Sierra had always been not to bring up Trent, even when he was in town visiting. She had protected Reese as much as she’d protected her brother, and for that Reese would always be thankful. She wouldn’t have wanted to hear about Trent’s private life while they were apart.
Trent turned an apologetic gaze to his sister. “Sierra, I never realized how awkward that might have been. I’m sorry.”
“We got through it,” Sierra assured him. “But don’t do it again.”
Got through it.
Suddenly, Reese realized that’s exactly what she’d been doing. Getting through it. Oh, how she’d missed waking up with a smile beside the man she loved and feeling her stomach flutter every single time she saw him. She’d been nervous about asking him back to her house again last night, but honestly, even if their future wasn’t yet completely certain, how could she regret the chance to spend an entire night in his arms?
“I’m sorry, too, Sierra.” Reese slipped her arm around Trent’s waist, glad that they weren’t communicating better just with each other, but with their families, as well. “The divorce was both our faults. I really appreciate that you stood by me and didn’t end our friendship when Trent and I split up.”
Sierra made a face. “Like that was ever an option. You and the girls got me through all those times when my brothers were hovering around me like guards. I love you and our friendship.” She hugged Reese, then hugged Trent, too. “And I love you and your bat-shit-crazy protective nature.” She grinned at both of them. “But I love you both even more now that you’re giving each other a second chance.”
Trent set the flowers down beside Reese’s supplies, then said, “I’ve got to go take care of something right now. Can I see you later?”
The strictly rational part of Reese’s brain was telling her to put the brakes on their super-speed romance, but every other part of her wanted him with her again tonight...and tomorrow morning, too. Especially when warmth flooded her as she remembered how wonderful it was falling asleep with him spooning her and then waking up in his arms again.
“If you’d like to come over to my house again tonight,” she ended up saying, “that’d be great.”
He pulled her into his arms and whispered, “I’d love to.”
Reese watched him walk toward the parking lot with a goofy smile on her face. Only when Sierra said, “It really is great to see you two together again,” did she realize Trent’s sister was still standing there.
