The Chase

“I’ve always wanted to see a giant sequoia. And speaking of trees, Dad played U2’s The Joshua Tree all the time when I was a kid. I didn’t know until recently that there’s an actual forest of those trees around here.”

“My mom still listens to them, too,” Seth added. “What other places do you want to see?”

“Hollywood. And I’ve always wanted to window-shop on Rodeo Drive, maybe spot some celebrities.” The guys might not find that exciting, but it would be a thrill for her. “I’ve also heard tons about the San Diego Zoo and Santa Barbara. Oh, Catalina Island, too. Apparently, we take a ferry there. I’ve never been on one. It sounds fun.”

“I haven’t been to any of those places, angel. Let’s dry off and start making plans,” Seth suggested.

Fifteen minutes later, Heavenly sat in Beck’s home office, in front of his laptop.

“I’m going to order from this great Chinese place that delivers while you check out where you’d like to go.”

Heavenly nodded. “Perfect. I’m starving.”

“We are, too.” Seth strode into the room and bent to kiss her softly. “When you’re done, just give us a list of cities and which day you’d like to visit them.”

“We’ll make the hotel reservations and give you all the addresses and confirmation numbers. Sound good?” Beck laid a notepad and pen beside her before brushing his lips over her forehead.

“This is really creative. I’m excited.” Heavenly couldn’t wait to start exploring. But she was also touched. Was this their way of trying to help her keep her promises to Dad while spending time with them? Probably. She loved them for this. “Thank you both so much.”

Seth shot her a lascivious grin. “We enjoy exciting you, angel.”

Heavenly laughed. “I’ve noticed.”

Twenty minutes later, she took a break and joined the guys in the kitchen. Beck and Seth tried to wheedle information about the places she’d decided to visit so far, but she remained mute, instead filling her belly with an egg roll, shrimp fried rice, and Kung Pao chicken.

“C’mon. Not even a hint?” Beck cajoled.

“Not yet.”

“We have ways of coaxing the truth out of you.” Seth smirked.

Heavenly couldn’t refute that.

“Okay, everyone read your fortunes.” Beck cracked his open. “I’ll be damned. Mine says, ‘You’ll soon be receiving a big surprise…’”

“In bed,” they added in unison with a collective roar of laughter.