“I know, but it’s funny.”
“Ha-ha. No, she’s not methodical. In fact, she’s just the opposite. She’s a free spirit. She isn’t a planner.”
“She’s a pantser? Wow. How does she feel about Mr. Plan Ahead?”
“She loves me, Siena, and yes, we’re a little different, but we’re happy.” He wasn’t sure they were really all that different. Underneath her disorganization and beneath his scheduled lifestyle, they were very much alike.
He and Siena caught up for a few more minutes, and by the time they ended their call, Kurt’s mind was ready to focus. He set his fingers on the keyboard and disappeared into the final chapters of Dark Times.
Chapter Twenty-Five
KURT’S LAST DAYS on the Cape flew by too fast for Leanna. She wanted to draw them out and eke out every second she could with Kurt. Between preparing for the meeting with Daisy Chain, working with Bella, Jenna, and Amy to figure out how to put a WordPress website together—which was a two-bottle-of-wine job—and spending time with Kurt, she felt the end of summer closing in on her. He’d gone to his house earlier in the day and closed it up for the summer, since he was going back to New York straight from Jack’s wedding in Colorado, and when he’d returned, she’d seen a shadow of sadness in his eyes.
She and Kurt had spent their time at her cottage so she could also have time with the girls, and she appreciated that concession. He seemed content anywhere as long as they were together, and it was one of the things she loved most about him. It was surprising how similar they really were.
They were packing the car with blankets and beach chairs to go to the drive-in theater Wednesday evening when Bella and Jenna stopped by, still dressed in their bathing suits and sundresses.
“Drive-in?” Bella eyed the blankets.
“Yeah. Should be fun. Kurt’s never been.” Leanna watched Kurt coming up the road with Pepper, and she was touched by how he’d come to care for her dog. “He’s a good guy, huh?”
“You’re kidding, right? He’s amazing.”
“Yeah. I know. I’m so lucky.”
Jenna sidled up to Leanna. “Why don’t you take the van and get down and dirty at the drive-in like a couple of teenagers?”
Leanna laughed. “I swear, we are like a couple of teenagers, but I really just want to cuddle up beside him tonight. I hate that he’s leaving tomorrow.” She closed the trunk of his car and then whispered, “Besides, we can get down and dirty in the cottage later.”
Jenna smirked. “Just remember to close your windows.”
Leanna blushed. She and Kurt had forgotten to close the windows on Monday evening, and Jenna had been armed with a litany of jokes the next morning.
“No worries there, eavesdropper.”
“Eavesdropper? Please, they heard you in P-town.” Bella put an arm around Leanna and the other around Jenna. “I’m going to miss you guys this winter. Maybe we should plan a get-together over the holidays.”
“We talk about that every year, but with our schedules…” Jenna reminded her. “Maybe we’ll get together for Kurt and Leanna’s wedding.”
“You guys have it all figured out, don’t you?” Leanna reached for Kurt’s hand as he approached. Yeah, I’d so marry you. Her breath caught in her throat. Oh my. I would. I really would.
“Hey, babe. Ready to grab dinner?” He ran his hand through his hair and glanced at Bella and Jenna. “You guys live in your bathing suits.”
“Why not?” Bella twirled in her dress. “We have to leave this weekend, so we’re making the most of it.”
“You’ll take good care of my girl, won’t you?”
He said it teasingly, but Leanna knew he liked that they were there with her. He’d told her last night that he was glad she had people who cared about her as much as he did.
“You know it,” Bella answered.
“If you were dressed and if Leanna didn’t mind, I’d invite you to come with us.” He glanced at Leanna.
“You would?” She could cuddle with him and spend time with the girls—a perfect night.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who is going to miss you when we leave, so sure, why not?” He shrugged.
Amy came out of her cottage and crouched down beside Pepper to love him up. “Hi, guys.”
“Do you guys want to come?” Leanna asked.
“Heck, yeah,” Bella answered. “Amy, drive-in with Kurt and Leanna?”
“On their last date night? We can’t do that.” Amy squinted and shook her head like they’d lost their minds. She was always the voice of reason.
“I’m going to be with Leanna every night after she comes to New York. I’d feel guilty if I didn’t share one of her last nights with you guys.” He folded Leanna in his arms. “Unless there’s something I don’t know about the drive-in.” He nuzzled against her neck.
“See? I told you.” Jenna adjusted her dress over her cleavage.
“Told you what?” Kurt asked.
Leanna felt her cheeks warm. “Nothing. Jenna’s being dirty.”
“I told her to take the van and make out in the back during the movie.” Jenna grinned.
“Now, that does sound fun.” He kissed Leanna again, and a shiver ran down her back. “Really, she has very little time with you guys. You decide. I’m easy. I’m going to run inside and grab a drink of water before we go.”
“Hear that? He’s easy.” Jenna watched him walk inside.
Leanna slapped her arm. “Hey, he’s taken.” She knew from spending time with him that he was anything but easy. Whether they were out in public or spending time in private, if he wasn’t writing, Leanna was the focus of his attention. She glanced at Pepper panting at the door, watching Kurt. Me and Pepper. Leanna had thought that her life would include only her, Pepper, and her Seaside friends for years to come, and she was so glad to have been wrong.
HAVING NEVER BEEN to the Wellfleet Drive-In, Kurt wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t kids running around on the playground equipment and families backing their trucks and vans into parking places and piling in under blankets and pillows like one big slumber party, or setting up beach chairs behind their cars with blankets spread out on the asphalt and coolers full of food.