Every Kiss(3)

“No, no. It’s more than that. You don’t remember? What’s today?”

“The only thing I know of is your birthday. There’s nothing else in March that I can think of.”

“Yes, but what happened on my birthday besides the fact I was born?”

The blank stare on my face is a dead giveaway that I have absolutely no clue. What’s more surprising is the fact that Wesley remembers something that I don’t.

He laughs softly and shakes his head. “It’s the day we met.”

“Oh my God, how did I forget that?”

“Well, you won’t forget it now,” he says while taking his jacket off. “Let’s see if we can make it a little more memorable for you.” He lays it out on the ground and then reaches behind his back to tug his shirt over his head to lay it out, as well.

I take the opportunity to drink in the sight of him. He’s no hulking man by any means, but he has a long, lean muscular build that reminds me of a surfer, which is further amplified by his naturally bronze skin and dark chocolate hair, which is now beautifully mussed from my greedy fingers. When he stretches out on his impromptu bed and looks up at me, full of expectation and promise, it’s all I can do to keep from pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. I still can’t believe this man is my husband.

“Knowing Makenna, we have about five minutes before she starts looking for us,” I say, crawling over the top of him teasingly slow. “Are you up for the challenge?”

He tugs my shirt loose from my jeans and caresses the soft skin at my sides. “I married you didn’t I?”





“WHERE HAVE YOU been?” Makenna asks while eyeing Wes’ wrinkled shirt as he joins Sawyer across the room. “Oh jeez, Cal. You didn’t . . .”

Oh, yes I did. “What?” I ask, feigning innocence.

She raises her eyebrows at me and plucks a pine needle from my hair. “You and Wes never cease to amaze me. You’re like a couple of horny teenagers.”

“Excuse me? Wasn’t it just last week that you were telling me about getting freaky in Sawyer’s car in an empty parking lot on the way to Mobile?”

“Hush!” she admonishes. “My parents will hear you!”

I wink at her. “Welcome to the club. It’s about time you joined.”

“Well, no wonder you dragged him off into the woods.” Makenna inspects the pendant of my necklace. “It’s gorgeous. And Tiffany’s, too. Wow.”

Something in her words jolts my memories awake, and I reach up to grasp the silver lock hanging around my neck, sudden realization forcing a slight gasp from my lips. I didn’t get it before, but there’s a reason why he bought this necklace to celebrate the day we first met. I can’t believe I didn’t realize it before.

My phone chimes in my pocket, so I pull it out to check the screen.



Wes: It’s about damn time you remember.



My eyes dart across the room, and I find him staring back at me, smiling. It’s that same smile that slayed me from the first day. The smile that could make my heart ache and sing at the same time.

Oh, yes. I definitely remember.





“I STILL DON’T know why you think I need to go with you to Shane’s parents’ house.” I curl tighter into my pillow, trying to ignore Makenna’s far-too-cheerful attitude so early in the morning. “He’s your boyfriend, and you’ve been going over there for about a year by yourself. I’m pretty sure I won’t add anything useful to the equation.”

“Come on, Cal. Please? There’s going to be a bunch of other people I don’t know there for this party, and his parents are gone until the end of the weekend. If Shane wants to hang out with his friends, I won’t have anyone to talk to. Please? We’ll come back home whenever you’re ready tomorrow. Just do this for me tonight.”

“Ugh. Fine. But you owe me big. Don’t forget that.”

She bounds into my bed, tackling me. “Thank you!” She squeezes me so close that I can smell the mint from her freshly brushed teeth. “Now, get your tiny little ass up and shower. We have to leave in an hour.”

“Uh, Mak, it’s only eight o’clock. I thought the party was tonight.”

“It is, but I promised Shane I’d come over first thing this morning to help make food and decorate. Everyone else won’t arrive until seven tonight.”

I throw my arm over my face and groan. “I don’t cook or decorate, so why exactly am I going so early? I could always drive up later.”

“Come on, Cal,” she whines, tugging on my arm. “I’ll make an extra bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough, just for you.”