“Everything you need to know is in that box.” I feel exposed. Without a doubt, this is the most intimate thing I’ve ever done. Christ, is it too soon?

She reaches for my hand, taking it out of my pocket, kicks off her flip flops, and drags me onto the sand.

“Here. This is the perfect spot.” She sits. It’s close enough to hear the waves, but far enough away so we don’t get wet.

I stay standing, and as I look away and take in the sea, I hear her rip open the paper.

Then silence. Nothing but the ocean, seagulls, and my own breath as I wait… wait for what? There is no more waiting. This is it. I gaze down at her.

She sits, her head down, her hands caressing my drawings.

“All of them are in there, even the ones from when I was a kid.” I grin, picking up a primitive drawing of a superhero.

“I called him Time Machine. He had the power of stopping time.” My voice sounds hoarse. Shaking my head, I reach for one of her. She’s laughing in this one, and I hand it to her.

“Beautiful, inside and out.”

She bites her lip as she watches me, her eyes swimming with tears.

“Jett, this is you. Your hopes, dreams… everything.” She shakes her head and scoops them up to hold them to her chest.

“I have nothing like this to give to you.” The tears that swim in her sapphire-blue eyes spill down her cheeks, and I reach over to brush them away with my thumb.

“Yes, you do. It’s you. All these drawings, if you place them in order, all lead to you.” My eyes caress her face.

“I thought I had it all figured out, Raven. I’m an arrogant ass who knows nothing except this.” I hold her face with both hands so I can look into her eyes.

“I will not take another breath without you by my side.”

She bites her lower lip and nods.

“I will die first because living without you is pointless.”

She exhales a shaky breath as I continue.

“And I will spend every moment cherishing you, loving you, because you’re my gift, Raven.” My hands tighten on her face, and my eyes turn blurry. When I take her lips, she leans into me, and I deepen the kiss, unable to tell if I taste her tears or my own.

Because I’m finally free.

Love.

It’s what humans seek from the time we are born until we draw our last breath. It’s more powerful than any other emotion we feel. It can cause unlimited damage and pain, but it can also be our savior.

I thought I was too old for her, too old for love, but I guess that’s not how it works—at least not for me. If I had to wait until I was ninety, I would.