The Summer We Burned

at that left the air trembling above the asphalt and the ocean glittering like fi

ount of how many times his lips found mine, how many times his hands

ss, intoxicat

as also

g against the railing as gulls wheeled overhead. Ethan's fingers brushed mine,

quiet," he

think

bo

im, my voice low. "What h

s jaw tightening

wh

were fierce now, burning into mine. "I'm not

lieve him, to sink into the promise of forever. But another

I whispered. "But

we'll know we tried. At least we won't spen

e, commitment, future-like it was all just waiting f

aybe

and wild, the moon laying a silver path across the waves. We spread out a blanket, the air

this," Ethan admitte

r w

he boy next door." He chuckled, but it was soft, almost nervous. "I used t

raw honesty in his words. "You

"No," he said, leaning in, his lips brushing mine

esperate, as if he was pouring years of longing into it. My hand

e that consumed us. His mouth traced my skin like worship, his hands explored with a rev

, pressing his forehead

h of the ocean below, the stars blazing above, and the knowledge that we

in his arms, I felt t

ruins us?" I

ghtened around

n't kno

wanted this too long for it to end badly. Because you're

t once. Everything. Could I really be someone's ev

ough me as I closed my e

e

love never com

s. Friends, neighbors, people who had known us since childhood-they all looked at

" I murmured, lean

jaw tight. "They don't know us

ons. The quiet disapproval of a town that l

urned those

ile our fire was. How easily the world

iddle of the street, bold and una

alk. Let t

wasn't just a

ind of love wo