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“Portable chargers come in handy, especially when you’re working on a construction site.”
He didn’t respond, and after removing his wetsuit, he set it on the board to dry. Underneath, he wore navy board shorts, and he slipped a dark gray T-shirt over his head.
She handed him a bottle of water. “Have you eaten? I brought dinner.”
“Thanks. No, I haven’t.” He chugged half the contents.
“Can we talk first?”
He dropped onto the blanket next to her. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to fight.”
“Then let’s not fight. Let’s talk.” She scooted closer to him. “If we’re going to be in a relationship, there will be times we’ll tick each other off. We may even raise our voices at each other.”
“I know, it’s just…” He angled his head toward the sea. “I went to an NA support meeting this afternoon.”
“Oh. I wondered if you went to meetings regularly.”
“I go weekly. It keeps me in check, and I can offer help to others who are in the early stages of dealing with their drug addiction,” he said. “I was feeling anxious and stressed and needed to talk with others who understand.”
“You were stressed about our fight.”
“About the fight, about the vandalism, about my dad wanting to remarry my mom, about starting a serious relationship with you.”
“That’s a lot to be stressed about,” she said.
He snorted. “Tell me about it.”
“Did it help?”
“It did.” He turned to face her. “I’m sorry for how I reacted to finding the paint cans. I jumped to conclusions and assumed the worst.”
“You had valid points. I was a real bitch about the pier extension and could have handled it better. I can see how finding the paint cans in my closet could raise suspicion.”
He nodded and turned to the ocean. “After the meeting, I came here to surf. Helps clear my mind.”
“I can see why.”
He met her eyes again. “Going to meetings will always be a part of my life. I need to know you can accept me, flaws and all.”
She reached for his hand. “I know who you are, flaws and all. It’s not like I’m perfect. You know I have my own issues. I’m impatient. I get angry quickly.”
“You’re stubborn.”
“A flaw we both have in common.”
He laughed. “We do. Can we make this work, Abby?”
The yearning behind his question touched her heart.
“I think we owe it to ourselves to try.” She cupped his whisker-covered jaw. “I love you, Connor, and will do everything I can to make this work.”
“I love you, Abby, and I want to build a life with you.”
“Then let’s promise to make each other a priority. And talk through what we’re feeling, even when we’re angry with each other.”
“I can do that.”
“I can come to your meetings with you. Not sure it’s allowed, but I want to understand and support you however I can.”
