Dean and I sit on the dock and watch the Heroine arc around the harbor. The sun cuts across white sails, making her glow. He studies her as if he’s seeing her for the first time. And maybe he is.

“Have you ever watched her sail from land?” I lean my head against his shoulder, and he kisses my forehead.

“Not since I was little,” he says. “It’s strange to watch her from here. To not be in control.”

“Does it worry you not to be?”

“Nope. Your sister and Dev have it covered. Well, Renee does, at least. She’s a fast learner. She might be out-sailing me in a year or two.” He studies the boat before his gaze flips to the horizon. “And the boat will be Grayson’s at the end of the season. He’ll take care of her.”

I stare at him. He seems quiet today. Pensive. But he told me to meet him here for a surprise, so I didn’t hesitate.

When the Heroine nears, he stands carefully, pushing himself up with the cane he’s been using since he got off crutches. The doctors assure him he’ll be walking normally in a few more months.

I expect him to turn toward the boat, but he surprises me by extending a hand. “Walk with me?”

We turn away from the Heroine as she slides up against the dock, the water displaced behind us with her size. Renee shouts something to Dev. Dean doesn’t watch any of it. He steps onto the smaller dock that’s lined with fishing boats and dinghies, his dock shoes soft against the boards. He pulls me to a stop in front of a little boat with a blue sail.

“What are we looking at?” I ask.

“A sailboat.”

I laugh. “I know that part.”

“Okay, how about this? My sailboat.”

“Yours?”

He tilts his head. “Well, mostly. It kind of depends on something.” His gaze floats around my face, those blue eyes suddenly so alive. The only thing keeping me from pushing up to my toes and kissing him is whatever he’s going to say.

“What does it depend on?” I ask.

He raises an eyebrow. “Will you take a trip with me?”

My heart lodges in my throat. “Are you asking what I think you’re asking?”

He pulls me to him with his free hand, his arm sliding down my back until it settles against the curve of my lower spine. “I want you to go around the world with me.”

“I would love to,” I say softly. “But what about everyone else? Renee? The bakery? Wait…” I point an accusing finger at him. “This is what Renee was talking about.”

“Well, she kept asking questions. She wouldn’t leave me alone until I answered them. But I also knew that she’d be your first concern.” His fingers trace patterns on my lower back. “We’ll get a satellite hotspot and check in whenever we can. And if we need to be here, then we’ll get here.”

He leans closer to me. “But maybe going away is exactly what we need to find out where we belong.” He kisses me lightly before pulling back. “There’s no pressure. I know it’s a long time and—”

“Dean,” I cut him off. “I want to sail around the world with you.” Renee is right—we need to keep living our lives. And I trust that she’ll tell me if she needs me.

I circle my arms around his waist, and that feeling of safety surrounds me. It always does with him, but it’s stronger when he’s so close.

“Say it again,” he says.

“I want to sail around the world with you.” I smile. “And, yes, we’ll figure the rest out. Together.”

His kiss is deep and sudden, his tongue smoothing over mine as he pulls me against him, forcing a whimper of surprise out of me.

“Now I’m thinking about my other wants.” His voice is low and so warm I could bask in it.

“Hmm… That sounds promising.” I tip up to kiss him again, but he stops me.

“You.” Blue eyes so clear and present. “I love you.”

I stare up at him, my heart leaping well past my throat. Above my head. Up into the sky.

He grins. “I said it.”

“I noticed.”

“I was nervous.”

“And now?” I raise a teasing eyebrow.

“I’m still nervous.”

“Because I haven’t said it back?” I slide my hand to the top button of his chinos and give it a little teasing tug before smoothing my fingers lower. I smile at what I find there. “Are you ever not hard?”

“With you around? No.” He emits a low growl. “Fuck, now I’m nervous and turned on. It’s a strange combination.”

“I plan on taking care of both those problems.” I smile up at him—those stunning blue eyes. And behind that, a blue sail that we’ll take around the world.

“I love you, too,” I say, savoring the words. They are so easy to say. A truth that runs deeper than words.

“Well, now I’m not nervous anymore.” He gives me that teasing grin. “Care to offer a solution to the second problem?”

I push up to my tiptoes, lingering a few inches from his lips. “I’ve got a few ideas.”

His gaze flares with heat, but his smile doesn’t fade. “Then we’d better get to it. Because I want to try them all.”