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THREE
JENSEN
We walkalong the water’s edge, hand in hand. Mom and Ma twenty feet ahead of us and Haystack Rock not too far in the distance.
Cannon Beach is so different from Los Angeles. Back home, life is always go, go, go. In this place, life is calm and magical and limitless. A breath of fresh air. Here, anything feels possible. Here, wishes and dreams come true.
Before the end of our trip, I want only one birthday wish to come true.
Months ago, when the moms mentioned this trip, an idea popped into my head. An idea I have yet to speak aloud. Not yet. Not until I summon the nerve. Because this idea of mine… it will change us forever. Hopefully for the better.
I can’t put it off much longer. Ready or not, that day is almost here. So close, I all but taste it on my tongue.
“It’s so quiet here,” Sam says softly, then giggles. “Almost feels like I’ll be scolded by the librarian for talking too loud.”
Twisting, I kiss her crown and hug her closer to my side. “Right? Such a contrast from home.”
She takes a deep breath and tightens her hold on my arm. “Never thought I’d enjoy a place like this. Small towns and quiet beaches.” Her head tips back and her unique blue gaze locks with mine. “Now, I have a new outlook.”
“Agreed.” My mouth drops to hers in a chaste kiss. “I love the city. Love working side by side with Ma in the kitchen. Love the bustle and lights and endless things to do. But this place…” I stare out to sea. Get lost in the tide and the skyline as sunset nears. Then I look back at my girl. “Is it weird that I could see us in a place like this?”
Sam swallows before our eyes disconnect. We meander along the shoreline in comfortable silence. Every now and again, I peek down at her. Watch as her eyes rove the ocean, the mountains, the larger-than-life evergreen trees. Take her in as she studies the landscape so incomparable to the city we have always known.
The moms turn around and lead the way back to the cottage. With each step forward, the sun slowly dips lower in the western sky. Adds yellow and orange and various shades of pink to the darkening blue sky. I breathe in the salty air. Bask in the warmth where Sam’s skin connects with mine. Close my eyes for one, two, three steps and stash this moment in my mental scrapbook.
“It isn’t weird,” Sam whispers, snapping my attention back to her.
I peek down at her as she shrugs and gives a lopsided grin. Loose strands from her ponytail tickle her face as the fading light adds a glow to her skin. In this moment, I can’t help but think how damn lucky I am to have this woman in my life. The way we met wasn’t ideal. But I thank my lucky stars for every moment—good and bad—that led me to her.
Samantha Benson is my saving grace. My person. Without her, life wouldn’t have as much hope or purpose or heart. For as long as she stands beside me, life will always be worth living. For as long as she holds my heart in her hands, I will know love.
“Really?” I bite back a smile. “So if I suggested we move here, you wouldn’t freak out?” Even if I wanted to live in a place like Cannon Beach, I would sit down with Sam and discuss it. Hash out the details, the pros and cons.
Structure is a must for us both. Not hardcore, everything-we-do-must-be-planned structure. But day-to-day routines keep us grounded. If either of us wanted to move, we would sit down and sort through every facet with a fine-tooth comb. Where and when. What we would do for work and pleasure when we got there. Why we chose the location. Why we would be happy there. Every attribute involved.
“Uh…” Her eyes widen slightly as she clamps down on her lips. “Maybe a little.” She swallows, then relaxes her shoulders an inch. “What would we do here? You work for Ma, and I don’t picture them leaving LA anytime soon. Finding a retail job in a new town wouldn’t be a challenge for me. Maybe the sweet shop.” Mischief glints her eyes on the last part.
Moving isn’t at the top of the list, but I love how easily Sam is willing to explore life with me in a new place. If we left Los Angeles, it wouldn’t be anytime soon. First, I would want to visit more places. Other small towns. Places bigger than a small town, but smaller than a big city. See which calls to my heart and hers. Then we would talk logistics.
“Just an idea.” I wrap both my arms around her middle and kiss her crown as we walk wobbly along the surf. “We haven’t seen enough of the world to know where we want to put down roots.” I inhale deeply. “But something about this place is—”
“Charming? Incredible? Enchanting?”
I laugh. “All of the above.”
We walk up the steep incline from the beach to the cottage. Ma announces dinner will be ready in an hour. Rather than follow her inside, I steer Sam over to the semicircle of Adirondack chairs facing the ocean. A small firepit just feet away. Parking Sam in a chair, I trek to the wood bin near the porch stairs.
“Be right back.”
Arms loaded with wood, I grab one of the newspapers in the bin and the pack of fireplace matches. Sam’s eyes heat my skin as I stack the wood in the firepit, strategically stuff the newspaper below, and light the match. Once the fire catches, I take the chair beside her and extend my hand. Without hesitation, she laces our fingers.
Sunsets and fires and waves crashing in the distance… there is only one thing that would make this moment more perfect with Sam. One thing I have considered countless times, but haven’t followed through with. Yet.
Much as I wish tonight was the night, I know it isn’t. But the day is fast approaching.
Days after the moms approached me about a birthday trip to Cannon Beach, I scoured the internet for things to do and places to explore. Recently, Sam and I started hiking more. But we haven’t spread our wings much. Haven’t traveled too far from the city. I didn’t know a lot about Oregon but knew there would be plenty of places for us to explore.
Hours of research and planning led me to the perfect spot. The exact location I want to take Sam. Every picture I saw online has breathtaking views. Hard as it has been, I have kept our upcoming excursion top secret. The moms don’t even know what I have up my sleeve. But they will soon enough.
