Quentin lets out a low whistle while Chenille’s, Jalen’s, and Sean’s eyes widen. “Shit, really? You don’t even look old enough to have twenty years under your belt. I know we don’t crack but damn,” Sean says, looking between Kai and me as if he’s trying to find signs of aging on us he may have missed before.

Kai turns to me and gives me those three kisses I love so much. “Yeah, well that’s what happens when you meet the love of your life at twelve.”

Chenille swoons at Kai’s words and honestly, same.

Quentin chimes in next. “You knew she was the one at twelve?”

“I don’t think I can say that because at twelve I really didn’t understand what love was, but I did know that there was no one quite like her and I would do anything to keep her around.” At that, Quentin leans over to dap Kai up.

“You got a good one there, girl,” Chenille compliments.

“Don’t I know it?”

Paint night ends with Emerald complimenting all of our paintings, Kai and me taking a group picture with our new friends, and us exchanging numbers with them before leaving. When we walk outside, I wrap my hand in Kai’s and take a moment to look up at the sky and breathe in the cool Austin air.

“Tonight was perfect,” I tell Kai, my eyes still closed, head still facing the sky.

“It’s not over yet, love.” He refuses to tell me anything else; he just drags me to the car and places our paintings on the backseat. A sudden urge to have his lips against mine hits me, and I don’t fight it. No, I grab him and pin him against the car and take what I want. In a matter of seconds, Kai has reversed our positions, me pinned to the car with my leg hiked up to his waist. His calloused hand against my bare thigh sends chills up my spine. “What do you want, Olivia? If you want me to fuck you up against this car right here and now, say the word.”

Fuck, his words hit me right in my core. As much as I do want him to take me against this car, the open parking lot doesn’t offer enough cover to not get arrested for public indecency, so I reluctantly push him away so we can get going.

Our next stop is a place I recognize. It’s a karaoke bar called The Right Note that I always wanted to visit when I lived here. By the time I was old enough to go inside, I would’ve rather cut off my right foot than use it to step into this city.