Lennon nods before walking me out.
“Even with the bumps, this was one of the best nights I’ve ever had. Thank you for everything.”
I couldn’t agree more as my lips peck her satin cheek.
“See you soon, Sunshine.”
After the lock clicks shut and she’s safe, I turn toward my place. At the last minute, I decide to leave her something to find in the morning. I slide the yellow paper through the crack after scrawling a quick note. As I’m straightening to go, the door swings open and Lennon flings herself into my waiting arms.
“I’ll never give up on you, Ryker. Don’t worry,” she murmurs against my neck.
Lennon gives me all the faith I need.
We’re gonna be just fine.
Lennon
There’s far more ahead than there ever was behind.
HOW CAN SO much happen in less than two weeks?
Since that first date with Ryker, the other aspects of my life have been taking center stage. My budding relationship was placed on pause while my all was dedicated to graduating and finishing the college. The time we’ve spent together since that night hasn’t been nearly enough for my liking but the distance was unavoidable. Plenty of long chats and fun days wait around the corner. That will all happen soon enough when it’s just us.
All summer long, and hopefully well beyond that.
I glance at my diploma on the counter and take a moment to appreciate the significance. That fancy piece of paper acknowledges four years of hard work and I’m prepared to put my freshly minted skills to good use. The professors set me free with a stack of recommendation letters, a bundle of real world advice, and the best wishes for starting my own business. The only unfinished business is the logo contest. The winner won’t be announced until later this month but my abstract sunrise design made it into the final round so . . . fingers crossed.
“Did your parents finally leave?” Lucy asks as she rolls another suitcase into the living room, effectively popping my haze.
I groan at the mention of my mom and dad, clingy and bossy as ever.
“Yes, thankfully. Although they put up a decent fight, especially when they found out I was moving further away.”
Of course, my overbearing parents tried corralling me back to their house but I refused before my dad could finish. When I told them about the studio space in Denten, they were not impressed. The protruding vein on my mother’s forehead pulsed with worry as my father did everything in his manipulative power to convince me our hometown had better options. I swatted away their concerns and hugged them tight.
The old me could have been swayed but my backbone has strengthened recently, thanks to a certain someone. I’m a grown-ass woman, very capable of making my own choices, and need to start standing up for myself. That extends to situations with Ryker too. Although in a very particular setting, I wouldn’t mind him bossing me around a little. Fire laps at my cheeks just thinking about him that way.
“Thinking of someone special? Do mommy and daddy dearest know Seeky-poo is planning to shack up with you?” Lucy laughs.
My eyes bulge.
“Heck no! Are you crazy? Even at twenty-two years old, I’m still a little girl to them. Boys are not allowed within fifty feet. Can you imagine? They’d drag me back to Kentville kicking and screaming if they found out.”
“I hear ya. Plus, dating him behind their back is extra sexy. Makes it all forbidden and hot.” Lucy gnashes her teeth while growling but her silly gestures are lost on me.
My gut twists at the mention of keeping Ryker hidden, for several reasons. It’s not that I’m embarrassed of him, quite the opposite, but my parents are freakishly overprotective. One look at my bulky boyfriend and I’d be shipped to a convent no doubt. If they ever knew about the watching . . . I’ve had enough secrets lately to last a lifetime but keeping Ryker from my parents is different though. At least, I think it is.
“Yeah . . . I’d much rather have typical parents that would accept their daughter dating. How will I ever bring him over to meet them? Do I wait until we’re thirty?” The idea is maddening. “They should be glad I’ve found someone who makes me happy,” I complain.
“Stop worrying so much, Lenny. Just enjoy this time alone with him. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth or whatever.” She brushes my worry away with a sweep of her hand and a toss of her blonde hair over her dainty shoulder.
“I guess. Just doesn’t seem right,” I reply around the lump in my throat.
After my complicated argument with Ryker about always being honest, I’m feeling like the worst hypocrite.
My bestie sashays to me before clutching my hands. “Lenny, you’ve gotta follow your heart. You’re an amazing designer and destined to do great things. Don’t let your parents or Ryker or anyone else get in your way. Do you!” Lucy punctuates with a light tug on my fingers.
I shake loose from her grip and loop my arms around her shoulders. “Thank you. I couldn’t ask for a better friend, even when you’re a diva.”
She giggles at my whispered words but I’m serious. This girl saved my ass from years of loneliness.
“You won’t even miss me with that stud muffin occupying your time. Even though my creeper-sense went off at first, I’ve come to realize you’re in good hands with that man. I’m going to come back and you’ll have run off with him to the rainforest, living in total isolation like Jane and Tarzan.” Lucy pulls back and rolls her eyes.
“That better not be a bad joke about—”
“Calm down, Lenny. It wasn’t a personal knock against him or anything.” Lucy gives me a wide-eyed stare. “Just be careful, okay? I’m not ready to be an auntie.”
My mouth drops open in horror.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Safe sex, Lenny. Use protection,” she explains while patting me on the head like a child.
I shove her hand away and huff, “I’m still on the pill, per your advice freshman year.”
“Excellent. Good stuff, right? Keeps Aunt Flow in check, that cranky bitch.” Lucy pops her lips and flicks her wrist. “But I’m talking about condoms. STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases for your virgin ears, are no joke. Unplanned pregnancy isn’t the only side effect of bumping uglies.”
“Why are we talking about this?” I groan while covering my flaming face.
“Because you two will be screwing like rabbits in no time and it’s my civil duty as your friend to provide the basics. Like, wrapping up his trouser snake.” She imitates rolling a condom down her finger and my stomach bottoms out.
I shake my head and swallow the discomfort.
“Can we stop? Ryker and I have barely brushed the subject.”
“Oh, you’ll be groping it in no time.”
“How are we friends?”
“Why do you always ask me that?” She gapes in mock offense.
“Moving on!” I hold up my palms.
“Not so fast. My Lyft will be here soon so any last discussion points before I’m an ocean away?” She asks as she moves to an unpacked pile of supplies. “Everything big that I’m not bringing is already in storage. I know you’ll be out by July but maybe you could check on the place while I’m still gone?”
“As if you have to ask. I’ll take care of whatever’s left.” A heavy sigh rushes from my lungs. “I can’t believe you’re leaving and we won’t be living together anymore.”
“Ah, don’t get mopey on me. We already cried over ice cream last night.”
“I know. This is just the end of an era or something. You’re going to Europe. I’m moving to Denten. This summer will be totally different.” I bite my tongue before deciding to ask Lucy for advice. “I have a question, and don’t you dare make fun of me.”
Lucy chuckles from her spot on the floor before stopping what she’s doing to look up at me.
“I’ll do my best to remain sass-free.”
My hands wring together as I mumble, “You know I’m very inexperienced, and not just with boys. There’s so much I’ve missed out on with life in general thanks to my bubble-wrapped childhood. What are some fun activities regular people have done by our age? I’m planning a summer of firsts, for Ryker and me.” I cringe at my word choice, knowing he’d probably go ballistic hearing me refer to us as anything but normal.
“Like a bucket list?” She tilts her chin while squinting at me.
I chew on that term for a moment.
“Well, kind of. I’m thinking more along the lines of typical stuff, not just crazy adventures to check off before we die.” I shudder. “You know, easy things like bowling,” I repeat the example I used to lure Ryker into this plan.
“You haven’t gone bowling?” She squeaks. “Wow. Um, all right. I get where you’re going with this. Sex is number one though, right?”
My gaze sweeps skyward as I ask for patience. “You’re impossible. Forget I asked.”
Lucy snickers.
“If you weren’t so easy to mess with, my life would be horribly boring. All right, for real, this is super freaking cute. You’ll have to send pictures. How about The Sculpture Garden?”