Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“Every one of them until you’re back in my arms.”
Dropping her head to my shoulder, she holds me, making me realize time and distance, memories, and the different paths we took never mattered. We would always find our way back together. When she pulls back, she’s gripping my shirt and lifts on the toe of her shoes to look into my eyes. “If this meeting with the agent ends before noon, I’m catching an earlier flight.”
“I’ll fly you private if it gets you to me faster.”
I kiss her one last time and then slip the card from my back pocket. Handing it to her, I say, “I wanted you to always know how I feel about you.”
“I do, Laird.” Taking my hand, she unfurls my fingers and kisses my palm. Pressing it to her cheek, she whispers, “I don’t need a card to remind me.”
“Just in case.” I still have some work to do on my own fears. “You never know where life takes you.”
“Apparently, it takes me to you every time.” She winks and, with a smile that calms my raging seas, I’m once again a believer in destiny.
“Not sure this was a good idea.” I sit up on my board with my legs dangling in the water. Paddling out set my muscles on fire, especially in my shoulder. Probably not wise since I’m going to be performing for the next two months. I could also be out of shape from spending the past five weeks recovering. Though I’m certain what Poppy and I consider “recovering” was not a part of doctor’s orders.
Spending time with my dad is worth it.
He runs his hand over his head to shake the water out of his hair and looks at me. “You’re out here, so you might as well catch a wave back to shore.”
The setting sun puts on a show for us. I’ve always found peace in myself and in my place in the universe when in the water. Now I find it in Poppy. I grin, thinking no pressure.
I stare ahead as the ocean rolls in, but the waves peter out before reaching us. “It’s going to be dark before we make it back in.” It’s never good to be in these waters come evening and night.
“Patience.”
The wetsuit compresses my shoulder muscles, the water cooling it down. The pain is gone as I’m starting to ease into old times, being Zen with the ocean helping to clear the clutter from my mind.
A few minutes pass, and my dad glances over. “What do you think?”
“Patience,” I joke.
It makes him laugh. “You’re rubbing off on me.”
“I could say the same.” With the sunset lit on our faces, I say, “I’m going to marry her, Dad.”
He nods, anticipating the perfect wave still coming. “I had a feeling.”
I don’t want to beg for approval or advice, but I still need it. “What do you think?”
With his arms loose at his sides, he looks at me. “I think Poppy would be a great match for you, a good partner, and you could be happy.”
“Could be happy?”
“You have to put in the work, Son. The honeymoon stage is great, but I wouldn’t trade it for what I have with your mother now for anything.” He paddles with his hands to maintain position but adds, “You’re in that stage of life when everything is bigger and more emotional. The fights, making up afterward, decisions on everything from where you’re going to live, where to raise your kids if you choose to go that route, to paying bills, and career highs and dips and then retirement.”
“I love her. Never a doubt. I’d elope if she wanted.”
Chuckling, he splashes me. “Nikki and Tulsa eloped and then kept it a secret for weeks or could have been longer. Give your mother one wedding, kid.”
“We’ll take it under consideration.” I laugh, seeing the waves pick back up. He’s right. Patience is key.
“There’s something to be said about finding peace within the person you choose to be with every day. Finding happiness where you’re planted and watching it grow.”
I knew I wanted to marry her, which is why I mentioned it to my dad, but hearing his words only reaffirms my commitment to being with her.
“If you’re asking my thoughts on if you should or if you’re ready, you’re ready.” He says, “Start paddling. You get dibs on the first wave.”
Turning around, I look back over my shoulder to see the wave coming. I start paddling as hard as I can, reminding myself how much the wave reflects life. All I have to do is ride it.
37
Poppy
Eighteen thousand fans chanting for Faris Wheel.
Though we can hear them, time still slips away from us backstage. At the climax of our connection, I’m calling out his name just as he is called to the stage. Laird doesn’t budge, holding me and kissing me as if we have all the time in the world. Cupping my face, he closes his eyes as he leans against me and whispers, “I love you so goddamn much, baby.”