After a few runs, we decided to take a break. We waded in the water away from the other surfers. Our legs dangled in the water. Sienna bumped mine a few times as we gently paddled to keep from drifting too far from shore.
“What do you think about opening up the diner tomorrow?” I asked.
“Tomorrow?” Sienna said with a surprised look on her face.
I shrugged. “Why not? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten everything about running a diner.”
She pulled a face. “Of course not, jerk. I haven’t been away that long.”
“All the inspections are in, so you’re good to go when you want. You can decorate along the way. How about diving back into it?”
“We could do a soft opening tomorrow,” she suggested. “I could invite Harriet and some of the other regulars. Just to make sure all the equipment is running before we open the doors for good.”
“The website and social media accounts have been updated,” I said.
“Since when?”
I smirked. “Since yesterday. I didn’t want you to see the changes to the accounts until I brought you to the diner. Everything is updated so once you give the firm opening date, I will be able to share that with your followers.”
“Parker, I don't have followers.”
“Yes, you do. My last count was around twelve-hundred. I expect that to grow once you open the doors.”
She balked. “From where?”
“Did you not know how I made a living for years?”
She looked up at the sky and smiled, closing her eyes. “I can’t believe this. I’m so lucky.”
“I’m the lucky one,” I said. “You make this relationship so easy to be in for me.”
“It is pretty easy, right?” she asked.
I was glad she felt the same way.
As the sun started to set against the horizon, Sienna and I called it a day. But we weren’t ready to leave the beach just yet. We propped up our boards and sat on the sand, side by side.
Sienna leaned her head against my shoulder and sighed. “I don’t remember the last time I sat and watched a sunset.”
“Today,” I said with a smile.
She punched me in the arm. “Smart-ass. You know what I mean.”
“I do. There’s been a lot of good moments for us recently.”
“There has been.”
I kissed the top of her head. The taste of salt water spread ac
ross my lips. I found that each day brought more good memories for us. And I suspected that would continue to happen for a long time. Harriet had been right about Sienna and me being together. It was so much easier and more fun than it had been with any other girl. Especially Rachel. I thanked whoever had been watching over me the day of the wedding. My last-minute decision had prevented me from making the biggest mistake of my life. I would have lost Sienna forever, and probably more money than I wanted to.
I put my arm around Sienna and watched the crash of the surf on the shore. Even though the sun was setting on today, I looked forward to tomorrow and the rest of the days ahead of us. I knew they would be happy as long as I had Sienna by my side.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sienna
My alarm went off at six the next morning. Parker groaned from next to me and rolled over.