Page 31 of Love Like Ours

She smirked. “Let’s go with cozy. I’m borrowing tables and chairs. Hopefully, it won’t feel like a sardine can back there.”

“Need any help setting up?” he offered, his tone casual but sincere.

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you volunteering to string up lights and arrange chairs?”

“Why not? I’m good with heights, and Loki here makes a great supervisor,” Palmer said with a grin, gesturing towards the dog, who had flopped down at Sophia’s feet.

Sophia chuckled. “I might take you up on that. But you’ll have to work with my brother. He’s agreed to move the fire pit area off the deck and into the yard for guests to hang out.”

“I think I can handle that,” Palmer replied.

They walked a little farther down the beach, the conversation flowing easily between them. She’d never felt more comfortable around him than now. It was strange. When they were younger, they had been so nervous around one another. Now it was like wearing your most comfortable jeans. It just felt… right.

The waves lapped gently at the shore, and the sky deepened into hues of purple and blue. Loki darted ahead, chasing seagulls and barking at the surf, his energy seemingly endless.

As they reached a stretch of beach where the dunes rose higher, Sophia paused and turned to him. “Thanks again for offering to help with Max. I hear you’re still working out a few details?”

He shrugged. “Max has some great ideas for the place. Some expensive ones.” He chuckled. “But he seems to think it will all come together.” He took a small step closer to her and lowered his voice. “He hinted that you’d talked to him about…” His hand reached up and brushed her arm.

She nodded. “Yeah. To be honest, not before he kissed me.” She held up a hand. “He sort of sprang it on me. And I can honestly say that it fell very flat.”

She searched his eyes and, instead of seeing anger or hurt, there was a touch of humor.

“I bet that hurt him,” he said.

“Not so much. He actually guessed that it was you I was seeing.”

“Seeing?” He smiled and she laughed.

“Sure, what else would you call this?” She wrapped her arms over his shoulders. “Dating?”

He frowned suddenly. “Well, since we haven’t officially gone out on a date…” He shook his head. “Seeing it is then. I don’t think you could label it as just friendship.”

They stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, watching the ocean as the first stars began to twinkle above. “Palmer?”

“Hmm?” His eyes scanned hers.

“I think…” She shook her head. “I don’t want us to call it just friendship.”

His smile was fast and caused her heart to jump in her chest nervously. Then he took another small step and his hand reached up and cupped her face. “Then let’s not.” He bent down and brushed his lips across hers softly.

Her knees turned to jelly, and she was thankful his arms moved around her waist, holding her close to his warm body as he deepened the kiss.

She didn’t want the night to end. Didn’t want him to release her. When his lips moved away from hers, she heard herself whisper.

“Come home with me.”

He stilled. “Sophia.” He sighed and rested his forehead against hers. “There is nothing I want more…”

She placed her finger over his mouth. “Then just do it. Loki can come too.” She smiled. “I have condoms. I want you, and from that kiss, it’s obvious you want me.”

He smiled. “You make it impossible to argue the facts.”

“Then…” She shifted slightly, lifting her chin.

His smile dipped slightly. “Soon.” His fingers brushed her chin. “I have to leave at six in the morning for Edgeview.”

She winced. “Okay, that is a good reason to not spend the night.” She laughed. “How about for tonight, you kiss me again and walk me home?”