"I want you to think about this, Piper, if you can really be with somebody like me."
What the hell does that mean? Somebody like Kit? Somebody hot, funny, sweet, caring? Somebody who sets my body on fire? A great kisser with an out of this world tongue piercing?
Someone who makes me laugh, who helps me study, who comes when I need him?
Kit is exactly the kind of person I want to be with.
Except for him leaving.
If he leaves like that again...
My heart hurts. The last three weeks have been miserable. I'm still hurt but seeing him is making me warm and fuzzy. Even if I'm not sure what his warning means. "How about we talk after we eat?"
"Only if I can buy you coffee after that."
My lips curl into a smile. "Of course."
He takes my hand and leads me on the short walk to the beach.
It's a beautiful day today. The sun is shining. The warm air smells like salt. The sand is full of locals and tourists alike and the water is full of surfers and swimmers.
I watch waves crash on the beach.
Kit unpacks the takeout bags. After I fix the pho just right, we take turns sampling each dish.
We don't talk about our relationship. We don't talk about anything.
We eat and we watch the waves. Then we lay on the sand together until the sun is setting.
Chapter 16
Piper
Mal is waiting for me at home. He's sitting in the kitchen in front of a wrapped present.
An enormous, hot pink present with a pastel pink bow.
He shoots me a curious look. "You been at school all this time?"
"Took a walk."
"You eat?"
I nod.
He nods to the full carafe. "I made you coffee. Might be stale by now."
I move in for a hug. "Extra cream and sugar please."
He chuckles as he fixes my cup. "Our dentist should send me extra Christmas cards."
"I've only had two cavities my entire life." I take a long sip of the coffee. It's perfect.
Mal shakes his head teasingly. His blue eyes light up as he motions to the gift bag. "You ready?"
There's no way this gift is the thing I really want, but I'm excited all the same.
I pick up the swirly floral Congratulations card sitting on the counter and flip it open.