Page 36 of Whimsical Ink

“My love, why didn’t we do that years ago?” His arms wrap low on my back.

“Because we’re idiots and needed multiple people to interfere for us.”

He slips out of me and lifts me, guiding my legs around his waist. “Worth it.”

We enter my bedroom. Apparently we couldn’t wait another five steps to get there.

“It was absolutely worth it,” I say as he lowers me to the bed and we curl up together.

The road here wasn’t linear. Who cares?

We still ended up here. Wrapped around one another and making plans together for tomorrow.

It worked out in the end.

9

MADDY

December 24th:One year later.

“You’re not going to win.”

“I might.” Daniel wriggles the wicket into the sand, and I draw a line for the crease with my foot.

“No, you won’t.”

“I could.” He wraps an arm around my waist and ducks his head under my hat to kiss my nose. This year he got us matching yellow hats and on mine he got ‘Champion’ embroidered across the forehead.

I should find it cringey, but I find myself wearing it often. Wearing the word he chose and found entertaining enough to gift me.

“You forget that we’re here this year,” Ella says, zinc decorating her nose and short hair flying in every direction her headband barely contains.

“Well, Ollie’s definitely not going to win.” I turn to my brother, who throws the ball up and fumbles the catch. It rolls towards the waves, and he puts his hands on his hips.

“I could win.”

I jog to the ball. “You’ll be out before Emma.”

Emma leans on the bat. “Hey! Just because you won last year doesn’t mean you’ll win this year, birthday girl. We know your secrets now.”

“And what are those?”

“That you don’t suck and will do anything if Danny kisses you.”

I scoff, but my cheeks flush, and I glance at Daniel.

“It’s kinda true.” He blows me a kiss.

“I don’t love you that much, sweetie. This is about defending my title.”

“Too bad we’re about to gang up on you.”

“Too bad you won’t get any if you sabotage me,” I warn him.

He links our hands and whispers, “Too bad I know how much you’ll enjoy the game regardless of winning, and we’ll have our own celebration anyway.”

I pout. “At least pretend I’ll keep my word.”