Page 108 of Sunset Catchers

“Those are the best kind,” I agree.

“My parents were in town for their summer vacations, so we packed up the car and went to the beach. The waves were big that day, and we spent our time playing in the water and building the biggest sand castles we could, decorating it with seashells and seaweeds. Then, we just ended the day having corn on the cobs in Kit’s backyard and s’mores over a campfire, inventing horror stories. My siblings and I ended up sleeping all in the same room because we were all too scared to be left alone.”

I try really hard to hold on to my tears, but they leak anyway. Levi swipes them away for me.

“It’s a really good memory,” I say.

“Will you tell me one of yours? Please.”

I kiss the palm of his hand before it settles on my thigh again. It takes me a few seconds to think of mine. Levi’s thumb smooths circles over my skin. My voice comes out small and shy when I speak.

“Yesterday was a really good day. It means a lot to me.”

“It means a lot to me, too.”

He’s being serious serious again. The way he’s watching me; I avert my gaze; I need a minute here.

I’m the missing page in his favorite book, and finally, he gets the whole story. That’s how he looks at me. I aim my sight at the abstract painting, made by a local artist, hanging on the wall next to the bed. I’d been drawn by the shades of greens and pops of pink mingling. It pulls another memory out of me.

“Once Junie and I went camping and got lost on our hike through the forest. We thought we were going to be eaten by a bear at one point.”

He laughs. I do too, sniffling the last of my sadness.

“Tell me everything, Winnie. I want to know everything.”

We spend hours telling each other our favorite and happiest memories.

27

I slowly come out of the self-loathing fog I have been sucked into, clearing away some shininess by driving my lashes into overdrive.

I feel Levi’s worry without even looking at him. Which I can’t do right now. I’m trying really hard not to cry. His face always unlocks my emotions, so I just can’t.

He’s staring. Right, he’s waiting for my answer. What was it that he asked?

“Win, are you feeling good?” he repeats.

“Yep.”

Levi watches on as I discard my phone on the messy bed and get up to walk to him, head down on my pink painted toes. I peck one quick kiss on his cheek.

“I’ll go take a shower and get ready. Pick me up in an hour?”

Today is mother’s day. For the occasion, Levi’s entire family, and Ben’s, are in town for a big brunch at Kit’s place. He invited me a few days ago. I had agreed to go quickly, excited and feeling sunshiny about it.

But this morning, well, the forecast is cloudy.

“Do you still want to come to brunch?”

My eyes travel to his lips. “Do you not want me to come?” My stupid voice breaks the tiniest bit at the end. “I would understand. If this is too weird or you don’t want me to meet your parents, it’s fine.” Levi cups my nape with his hand, and I lean into it, fluttering my lids close.

“I want you to come. More than anything.”

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll go get ready, then.”

One last peck, and I leave Levi behind.

My cheeks are already wet when I close the door to the bathroom behind me, my heart beating down in my chest. My hand tries to sooth from the outside with roughly rubbed circles.