Hunter laughs. “That’s a true statement.”

“I think we should have shish kebabs for our wedding reception, babe. I mean, if your mom wouldn’t lose her mind over it, it would be the coolest thing ever.”

Cricket’s fiancé wraps his arm around her. “You can have whatever you want. It’s our wedding. Not hers.”

“The chef at The Gables will make you anything you choose,” Lincoln adds.

“I still can’t thank you enough for letting us have it there for free. Hunter keeps telling me it doesn’t matter that Mom can’t afford to pitch in much, but it was slowly killing me to let him pay for everything.”

Hunter’s face falls as he watches my cousin. “Baby, you know I don’t care.”

Cricket’s shoulders tense. “But I do.” She glances at Lincoln. “I know you’re only doing this for Whitney’s sake, but I want you to know I appreciate it like crazy. If you ever need good weed or a guided hike through the wilderness, I’m your girl.”

My cousin’s offer of marijuana as repayment breaks the growing tension.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Lincoln says with a laugh.

I reach out and lay my hand on Lincoln’s thigh, and he stiffens, glancing down at it. “I appreciate it too. More than you know. Thank you.”

His hand covers mine, and everything about it feels so right.

Hunter rises from the table, holding out his hand to Cricket. “Babe, let’s take a walk and find you that red glass you’ve been looking for before the sun’s completely gone.”

My cousin hops out of her seat. “Yes! I’m not leaving without a red piece.”

They head down in the direction that Lincoln and I walked earlier.

“You heard her,” I tell him. “We’d better find her some red glass, or she’ll literally camp out here until she finds it.”

He helps me out of my chair. “I wish I would’ve thought of camping supplies. Next time.”

“Next time, huh?”

Lincoln lowers our clasped hands until my body presses against his. His lips skim across mine in a perfect kiss. “I’ve got ten years of dates to make up for. I’m just getting started, Blue.”

I could definitely get used to this.

Forty-Two

Lincoln

As the remnants of the sunset fade, we roast marshmallows over a bonfire and make s’mores, which turns out to be another right choice. It’s simple, easy, and fun, which is exactly how I want to end the night.

Well, this part of it, anyway. When we get back to The Gables, I plan on spending hours making Whitney scream my name as she comes. This is the new beginning we should have had before, and nothing is going to stop me from making it perfect.

When we finally leave the beach, I have exactly one piece of glass. A bright blue one, the same color as Whitney’s eyes. Whitney has a rainbow, and Cricket has Hunter’s pockets bulging—including the red piece that it took all four of us looking for until the sun went down. I wouldn’t have complained if it took all night, though.