Page 121 of Sunset Catchers

“Did my best friend just grill you?” I bury my fingers in the hair at his nape.

“We just talked. About how fucking precious you are.” His eyes are glitzy against the moody lighting in the room.

“Yeah?” I say.

“Yes. She also asked me if I love you.” My hand lands over his mouth. I swallow hard.

“Don’t tell me now, okay? I’m kind of drunk.” His laughter is a puff of air against my palm. Once he bobs in agreement, I drop my hand.

There’s only us here, right now.

It’s Levi and me. Blues and Browns.

Levi grabs my face with both hands, cupping my jaw, thumbs running over my cheeks. I slip a hand on his chest, over his heart.

Two lovestruck idiots, smiling at each other.

We share one quick kiss. A brushing of lips. A let’s talk later peck. Then Junie is back at our table with her own couple of cocktails.

Hours later, after Levi drove us back to the cottages and walked us to our door. After Junie is asleep on her side of the bed, I slip from my cottage and hurriedly go to him. I slip into his bed, under the covers, under him.

Skin on skin.

Eyes to eyes.

Heart to heart.

That’s when three words are whispered as secret promises, exchanged from lips to ears to keep them from flitting into the universe.

These words are just for us.

Levi goes first. I follow.

And just like that, on a seemingly ordinary night, my life is made entirely better.

30

Wait, have you seen this movie before?”

My focus sways away from the mug I’m painting in a light-pink color to look at Sloane, who is awaiting our answers.

“Well, of course. She’s the man is a classic,” I say. She bobs her head.

“Agreed,” Junie adds. “Plus, I played soccer when I was a kid, so I was obsessed for a while.” She dips her brush into light-blue paint to add another flower to the plate she chose.

Sloane shakes her head. “Poor Amanda Bynes. The lore surrounding her downfall is so messed up.” Agreeing bobs of head and huh-uh all around the table.

Sloane made the trip from Toronto so we could attend this pottery painting and movie screening event at a local pottery studio. Women and girls of all ages are spread around tables, painting their choice of ceramic pieces, while the movie playing complemented the slew of conversations and giggles.

I love being a woman.

Once we’re all focused back on our projects, my mind revels over the same thing since last night:

Levi loves me. Levi doesn’t only have a crush on me, it turns out, he loves me.

Levi loves me. This sweet and perceptive and funny and smart guy loves me.

Levi loves me. Brain-rearranging.