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“Oh, please. I’ve told you to call me Susan.” His mum gives me a warm smile, but I can see questions behind her eyes.
“Right, we’re going to head out. I won’t be late, Mum. Thanks, dinner was great.”
“Wait, are you sure? You don’t want to stay a little longer?” She looks at her son, and I can tell she wants to spend more time with him. Just like I do.
“We’re good. Thanks.” Jayce pulls me up, and I wave back to his family, still sitting at the table.
We grab our coats just before Jayce muscles me out the front door.
“That was kind of rude. We barely had time to finish our food.”
He pulls me along the road towards the beach. “I know, but I want to have you all to myself. My family get me all the time. They understand.”
“I’m not sure your mum does. You said this was a family holiday, after all.”
“We’re doing plenty. Besides, I want to make the most of our time, Zee.” He stops us and pulls me into his arms. He bows his head to kiss me, and I let myself get swept away.
“Hmm. I don’t think I’m ever going to get enough of kissing you.” He rests his head against mine.
“I know. But we both know you’re leaving in a few days.”
The words linger between us, pulling at the carefree happiness there just a moment ago.
“Come on.” He tugs my hand and leads me down to the beach and then along the headland.
It’s fast becoming our spot—looking out at the sea or the beach. The wind billows around us, and we sit huddled together for warmth.
“This place, Zee. I thought it would be a terrible two weeks. But it’s amazing.”
I look out at the cloudy sky and murky waters. It’s hardly a picture-postcard scene.
“Not today, it’s not.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t understand how lucky you are to have this on your doorstep.”
“Oh, I do. It’s pretty spectacular. But you should visit in the middle of winter—it’s wretched. The cold seeps into your bones, and it can be miserable having no escape.” It’s the truth. I love Tregethworth, but sometimes I want to escape. I’d never had a destination in mind before, but a whimsical vision of travelling to far-flung beaches around the world comes to mind, where I’m sitting on the warm white sands, looking out at the surf and the boy riding the waves.
I shake it from my head, knowing how dangerous it could be to think like that. My heart thuds in my chest, and I close my eyes for a moment, staving off the sting of tears.
Jayce pulls me in tighter, and I bury my head against his chest, happy to stay here in his arms.
We don’t speak for a long time, and I resist asking what he’s thinking about and if he’s considering a future where we could be together. Would he want that?
It’s so easy to get lost in a dream with him next to me—a dream of a future where the love between us could continue to grow. But that’s make-believe, and I’m smarter than that.
I am.
I hope I am.
We stay on the headland until dusk turns to night and the stars remain hidden behind the blanket of clouds. It’s not romantic or special like some of the other nights we’ve been here. But it doesn’t matter to me. As long as we’re together, I’ll stay with Jayce for every minute I can until he leaves.
And takes my heart with him.
CHAPTER12
JAYCE
Then
