"I guess," I admit, trying to remember Jensen's face.
"How'd you meet?"
I take in a breath, wanting to be sure the words form properly. "At a bar. I was lying about my age. He was lying about his. Found out he was only a few years older than me, not twenty-three. And he never found out that I wasn't twenty-two."
"A relationship based on lies, that's never good."
"We weren't in a relationship," I correct quickly. "We were just bodies for each other. No feelings. No talking, not really anyway. No love."
Grant's quiet.
"I don't want that," he finally says.
"You're not that," I admit, tipping my head to focus on him. I decide to lay on my back and rest my head on his lap to get a better view. "You know more about me than anyone in my entire life."
His head tilts down so I can see all of him. "Really?"
"Yeah. You ask me, and I always tell you the truth. I can't stop my mouth from telling you."
"I thought that was your curse?"
"It doesn't make me talk. Only makes what I say the truth. But I can't be silent with you. And that scares me."
"Why?"
"Because you'll eventually learn a truth that'll make you not like who I am."
I watch his throat move as he swallows.
"I can always forgive the truth, Lana. But it's much harder to forgive a lie. So I'd rather know than for it to be kept a secret."
"What does love feel like?" I ask again.
Grant runs his hand along my cheek. "Find out for yourself."
The sky crackles and sizzles before it explodes. I sit up and search for it across the water in time to see a colorful burst of fire in the sky. "It's beautiful."
Grant encases me in his arms, easing me against him. "Very." I wrap my arms around his, keeping him close.
I watch in awe as the spectacular display of colors dance across the sky, sparkling and swirling. I'm mesmerized and can't take my eyes off of them the entire time. Even when Grant leans down and presses his cheek against mine. I smile, but don't look away from the explosion of lights.
When it's over, my heart is beating so hard.
"How are you feeling?"
"Incredible," I tell him. He laughs, his breath tickling.
We wait on the dock until the boat returns. Ashton jumps from it and yells, "Let's dance!"
She twirls and leaps, her dr
ess floating around her like a flower. I giggle and push up to stand. Grant remains seated on the dock. "C'mon, let's dance." I run after her, and someone turns on the music. She grabs my hand to twirl me around and around.
"Are you sure you have them both?" Grant asks Brendan for the third time. "I don't mind driving them."
"I've got them. I promise," Brendan assures him ... again.
"I'm trusting you," Grant says, sounding very serious.