Chapter 80

“Emma?” His husky and exhausted voice pulls my gaze to him, and my stomach lurches into my chest.

I guess that answers my question.

“Hey.” I smile unsurely from my position on the lounger as he walks toward me intently; he doesn’t hesitate but slides down beside me and lies down with a tremendous sigh. He’s on his front, buried his face in the crook of his arms, making it obvious he is utterly exhausted. His body sags heavily, taking up a vast amount of room. He’s close enough that we touch delicately in places, but not deliberately. He smells good, of sea and sun and him. If I could bottle that smell and keep it forever, I would. My body is tingling with the proximity, but I’m holding my breath, waiting.

I glance over his profile, appraising how tired he is. His hair has nothing in it for once, and it’s the first time I’ve seen it au natural. It’s ruffled with a hint of curl, and it looks boyish and sweet somehow. I like that he keeps a short back and sides; it sh