CHAPTER 36
TATE
December
I exit the tiny grocery store three miles from the marina, muttering a string of curses under my breath. The kid that loaded these bags overfilled this one. And it’s a paper bag. A delicate fucking creature. As I feel the bottom about to give out, I execute a swift maneuver, readjusting my grip at the same time I heave the danger bag on top of the meat bag. I swear, if this thing bursts and all my carefully hand-picked fruit rolls away? And then my apples go rolling on the dirt and I have to chase after them like an asshole—
“Tate.”
I stop. Frowning.
Weird. I swear I heard Cassie’s voice saying my name. I snap myself out of such insanity and keep walking.
“Tate! I know you heard me! Are you running away from me?”
Now it’s Cassie’s outraged voice.
Wait, is this actually real?
I spin around. Unfortunately forgetting the delicate paper-bag pyramid in my hands. I manage to hold on for dear life, but the fruit bag is in great peril, and Cassie runs over to grab it out of my hands.
“You okay there?” she teases.
All I can do is stand and gawk.
“Tate?”
Finally, I find my voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, I asked the guy at the marina where you were, and he said you came here to buy groceries, so my cab driver brought me—”
“No, I mean here. In New Zealand. You realize you’re in New Zealand, right?”
“No! Really? I thought I was on a beach in Miami!”
A smile springs to my lips. Goddamn. I missed her. And I can’t stop staring at her. Her red hair is twisted in a loose knot on top of her head. She’s wearing jean shorts and a blue T-shirt. White sneakers. Her eyes are shining and her cheeks are flushed, but the latter might be because of the sun beating down on us. It’s hot as hell here in the winter. Or rather, their summer.
“I’m still trying to figure out if you’re real.” I blink. Blink again. But she’s still standing in front of me.
Cassie smiles. “I’m real.”
“And you’re in Auckland.”
“I’m in Auckland.”
“Because…?”
“Oh. Right.” She brightens. “I’m dropping off a care package from your mother. It’s kind of bulky, so I left it at the office in the marina. We can grab it when we get there.”
I stare at her again. “Now you’re just talking gibberish.”
Cassie starts to laugh. “No, I really did bring a care package from Gemma. I ran into her last week when I was home for Thanksgiving.”
I narrow my eyes. “I spoke to her the day after Thanksgiving. She didn’t mention seeing you.”
“I asked her not to. I wanted this to be a surprise. But I had to write a couple final papers before I could get away.”
“Cass.”
“Yes?”
“I am not complaining that you’re here. Not one bit. But what is happening right now? Why did you come?”
“I came because…” She bites her lip, suddenly bashful. “Because I missed you.”
My pulse quickens. “I missed you too,” I say hoarsely.
More than she’ll ever know. These last few months have been the most challenging of my entire life. Me against the elements. Singled-handedly sailing some of the toughest waters I’ve ever navigated. I’m not gonna lie—I was scared. Terrified I wouldn’t even reach my destination. But I persevered, and one of the reasons I did was Cassie. Whenever I thought, fuck, I might actually not make it, I heard her voice in my head, making some smartass remark. You can do it, Gate.
Now she’s right here, and while I don’t have a proper explanation yet, I can’t help myself. I set the grocery bags on the ground and pull her into my arms. She squeaks in surprise, but I just tighten my grip and let out a ragged breath. “Just let me hold you for a minute.”
And she melts into me. I bury my face in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. The soft strands tickle my chin. Her arms wrap around my waist.
“I really fucking missed you.” My voice is still so hoarse. Thick with gravel. I force myself to release her, searching her enigmatic expression. “What exactly did my mom say to you?”
“She said she wants her son to be happy.”
My chest clenches. The notion of hurting Mom is still so soul crushing. But these past three months without Cassie have also been pretty fucking awful.
“And she asked me to forgive her,” Cassie says. She meets my eyes. “I think that means she’s okay if I’m your girlfriend.”
Heart racing, I put on a cocky grin. “Girlfriend, eh? That’s rather presumptuous of you. Who says I want you as my girlfriend?”
“Sweetie. I think you kind of ceded the upper hand when you smelled my hair and told me how much you missed me.”
She has a point. My smile widens so big I feel like it’ll crack my face in half. The sun is almost blinding, but I don’t slide my aviators on because I want her to see my eyes. To see the sincerity in them when I say, “I love you.”
Happiness warms her gaze. “I love you too.”
“Are you really here?” I ask.
“I’m really here. And you have me for three weeks. I need to go home for Christmas,” she says regretfully.
Three weeks. Damned if my dick doesn’t twitch hearing that. It’s been three months since I’ve seen her. Kissed her. Touched her.
“Three weeks, you say?” I cock a brow.
“I have to warn you, though … I might need to put in some work on my next children’s book while I’m here.”
My jaw drops. “No.”
“Oh yeah. Five-book deal, baby. The first book in the Kit ’n McKenna series debuts next fall. They love it so much they want to rush it out.”
“You’re a fucking rock star.”
I tug her into my arms again and then my lips are devouring hers. Hot. Desperate. Because three months’ worth of pent-up lust is now bubbling inside me.
“I want you naked so bad right now,” I growl.
Cassie grins. “Then let’s go get naked.”
I lead her toward the dusty black Jeep parked a few yards away. Yup, I traveled to the ends of the earth and they give me another Jeep. I wanted something cooler, like a Humvee. But this was all the rental place had.
We load the bags in the back and hop in. Cassie is beaming. Her lips are curved in a smile. Cheeks flushed with excitement. Everything about her sends joy rippling through me.
“Wait, let me get my sunglasses.” She twists toward the back seat to rummage in her purse. And I can’t help copping a feel of one delectable tit.
“Save it for the boat,” she teases. When she turns back, shades in hand, she suddenly makes a happy noise. “Look at the silver lining.”
I glance over, grinning. “All right, let’s hear it.”
“No, I mean, look at it.” A brilliant smile fills her face as she points to the sky.
I follow her gaze and realize she’s right. Backlit by the sun, today’s clouds have very distinct edges.
“I’ve never actually seen clouds with silver linings before,” Cassie marvels. “It’s beautiful.”
I lean over and place a kiss on the corner of her jaw. “Beautiful,” I agree, and I’m not looking at the clouds.