His consideration touched her. If Randy were here, he wouldn’t have consulted her. Heck, he probably wouldn’t have even included her in the conversation. “I’m not interested,” she said.
Talon looked relieved. “Sorry, man. Thanks for the offer, though.” He put a hand on Keeley’s back and whispered, “Let’s get out of here.” They followed one of the hallways, but quickly got lost. Finally, someone pointed them to an exit, but when they got out, they realized they were on the opposite side of where they came in.
“I forgot how close the beach is,” she said, staring across the street at a long strip of white sand and blue ocean. Several palm trees dotted the area, offering some shade. Not that they needed it. The sun was almost set. Only swirls of orange and pink were left in the sky.
“I have an idea. Come with me.” They walked down a street that ran parallel to the beach. Stopping at a supermarket, he led her inside and then told her to stay put. “I’ll be right back.”
He returned several minutes later with three large grocery bags and a mischievous smile. He held out his elbow in a silent invitation and Keeley twined her hands through, following his lead. She trusted him completely. There was nowhere else she would rather be.
They crossed the street to the beach and took off their shoes when they reached the sand. He guided her to a small fire pit that still had wood left over from the previous user. He pulled out matches, graham crackers and a chocolate bar. It was like it was meant to be.
“We’re going to make s’mores?” she asked.
His blue eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “Correction. Peep s’mores.”
“Isn’t it the same thing?”
Talon put the back of his hand on her forehead. “Are you feeling okay? You’re becoming delusional.”
Keeley smiled. “You’re an addict. How many hours can you go without eating one? Three? Four? Do your hands start to tremble when you don’t get your next fix?”
“Just sit your ass down and prepare to be amazed,” Talon ordered, striking the match. While the logs started to burn, he assembled the chocolate and graham crackers. “Uh-oh,” Talon said after opening the pack of Peeps. “I forgot to get something to roast them on.”
The stab of disappointment took her by surprise. She hadn’t realized how much she wanted to be here, roasting Peeps with him, till now. Well, she wasn’t going to let something so tiny stop her. She’d find something. Even if it took her all night.
“Hold on.” She ran over to a tree where she remembered seeing some sticks. She found two long, thin ones perfect for roasting.
“You’re my hero,” he exclaimed. Her heart drummed in her chest. Did he have any idea the effect he had on her?
He gave her a Peep, but not before making her swear not to burn it. They roasted the Peeps, then slowly slid them onto the chocolate and graham crackers. The Peep softened into a mass of molten marshmallow, melting the chocolate. Suddenly, her mouth was watering.
“Okay,” Keeley said after taking a large bite, “I have to admit these are really good.” The sugar on the outside of the Peep had melted to make a caramelized crust, giving a little crunch to the gooey treat. She had one more before calling it quits.
She watched Talon pull a puffed Peep off a stick and stuff the whole thing in his mouth. It must have been too hot because he grimaced and sucked in air, trying to cool it. He looked absolutely ridiculous like that, his lips pursed out, panting for air.
She needed to know something … “Why Peeps?”
“What do you mean?”
“Of all the things to like — why Peeps?”
“Because they’re awesome. Why else?”
“No. This goes way past just liking them.” His obsession was unnatural. Knowing he wasn’t being direct, she said, “There’s a story here. Spill.”
He turned away from her, the fire creating deep shadows across his face. “I think it’s because my grandfather always bought them for me. When I was little, I was … well, I was fat. And kids were mean about it. Gramps found me in the barn crying one time. I was so ashamed. I thought he was going to tell me to suck it up and stop being such a baby, but instead he opened a pack of Peeps. He didn’t say one word the whole time. We just ate, and when we were done, he patted my head and said he was proud of me.”
“Sounds like the two of you were really close,” she murmured, hoping she was saying the right thing. She remembered when Nicky’s dad died. It had felt like she was constantly walking on eggshells.
“We were. We spent a lot of time together. He would take me geocaching on the weekends.” At her puzzled look, he explained, “It’s kind of like treasure hunting. We would pretend we were pirates and spend the whole day exploring new places. Everyone in our family thought we were crazy, but it was fun. He was fun.”
“Do you still geo-whatever-it’s-called?”
“Geocaching. And no. I haven’t been since he died. I guess I could do it here but it’s not the same. It was our thing.”
Keeley knocked her knees against his. “You weren’t really fat, were you?”
“I was. I swear! My growth spurt didn’t come till I was thirteen. Right about the time I moved here. You should have seen how awkward I was.”
“Is that why you don’t have any pictures of yourself on your phone?”
He avoided the question by saying, “You don’t have any on yours either.”
“That’s because I just got it. Your Peep obsession makes a whole lot more sense now. I’m kind of jealous. I wish I had something I was passionate about.”
“Oh, come on, there has to be something.”
“Trust me, there’s not. I have to write a college essay this weekend. I’m supposed to be telling them about myself, but I have nothing to say.”
“Maybe that should be your essay. A blank page,” he joked.
“I’m serious! This whole college thing has been freaking me out. My life’s always been the same. I’ve had the same friends, done the same things, and now it’s all …” She used her hands to mime an explosion. “I’m scared it’s going to change, and then what do I have left? Nothing.” Zach and Nicky would change and grow and leave her behind.
“I’ll tell you what you have left — you.”
“But what if I’m not enough?”
Talon massaged Keeley’s shoulders, working out the knots. “Enough for what?”
“I don’t know. Life. Family. Friends. All of the above.”
“You’re basing everything off what other people think. What do you think?”
She bit her lip, then leaned into him, letting him take all her weight. “I don’t know.”
Talon smoothed her hair down and rested his head against hers. “Baby doll, from what I’ve seen, the you that you are right now is pretty great.”