Page 150 of Ruined

“I need your help figuring out this toga thing.”

Dominic groaned. “I’m too old for this shit.”

“You’retwenty-nine. That’s not old.”

Dominic shook his head, sipping his beer. “If I show up at this thing and some college kid tries to arm wrestle me for your attention, I’m putting him in the ground.”

“Fine.”

He grinned. “I have another surprise for you.”

I frowned. “Yeah?”

He took an envelope out of his jacket, offering it to me. I slipped out two plane tickets. My breath caught as I read the destination: Orlando, Florida.

I looked up at him. “What’s this?”

“We’re going to Disney World.”

“Are you serious?”

“Deadass. We’ll hit the parks, eat overpriced churros, and get matching Mickey ears if you’re feeling adventurous.”

I laughed. “Awesome.”

“It gets better,” he said, leaning in. “After Disney, we’re going on a road trip. We’ll cross off as many things on that list of yours as we can. You’ve been working hard. You deserve to live a little.”

My eyes burned. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll go.”

“Of course I’ll go. Dom, this is… God, I love you so much.”

His smile softened. “I love you too.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?”

He winked. “Let’s get ready for that party.”

I laughed, pulling him into a hug.

THIRTY-SEVEN

LUCA

Watch a sunset with someone I love.

I folded the piece of paper, slipping it in my pocket. I sat beside Dominic, watching the sky burn over Los Angeles. Streaks of gold and crimson spread across the horizon. Sorrow filled my chest. Summer was ending, and it’d been the best one of my life. Full of things I never thought I’d have: freedom, laughter, and a deep love that didn’t have an end.

I leaned back, elbows on the dry grass.

Dominic sat next to me, beer bottle on his knee. Even now, at ease with the world fading into night, he looked like he owned the whole damn skyline.

“You don’t know what this trip means to me.”

He turned his head, his hazel eyes shining. “You don’t need to thank me. It’s what you deserve.”

I shook my head, my chest aching. “You say that like I should’ve known life could be this good. Like I was supposed to expect it.But, Dom… it never felt like something I could have. Not until you.”