Page 88 of Your Play to Call

My bags are packed,and I’m waiting for Tripp to pick me up. No matter how horrendous the label meeting was, nothing is going to put a damper on my good mood.

Tripp’s driving the two of us and my security details will follow in their own car. He’s adamant security won’t be necessary, but Seth is relentless. My security promised to stay out of the way unless it’s needed.

There’s a knock on the door, and I practically skip to let Tripp in. When he sees me, he picks me up and spins me around while giving me a kiss. Some moments with Tripp feel like I’m living inside a movie, one I’d pay to see again and again.

“Let’s get this road trip started. I have the snacks covered. Also made a little treat bag for our security friends, including crossword puzzles, because they’re going to be remarkably bored this weekend.”

Weekend. A whole weekend. Me and Tripp. He grabs my bags, and we walk to the car.

“Where are we going?” Tripp has been secretive on where his hometown is.

“A little spot in Maine,” he answers elusively but still with more information than he’d offered up until this point.

Maine. Wouldn’t have guessed.

“How long is the drive?” I poke him for more details.

“Probably seven hours.” He opens my door.

We’re buckled in the Tesla, and Tripp hits something on the screen to get the navigation started.

“Are you ready?” he asks me, wearing a smile that makes his eyes shine.

“Born ready.” I smirk back.

He meets his mouth to mine, surprising me with a quick kiss. He puts one hand on the nape of my neck, pulling me to him.

“I’ve never shown this to anyone. It’s like telling your best friend a secret you’ve kept for years.”

My chest warms at the sentiment. This man is ridiculously excited. Whenever I think about Tripp’s lack of relationships, I’m surprised. Tripp is truly a romantic.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chapter 47

Tripp

Golden Cove, Maine: WhereEach Day Has the Chance to Glimmer.The welcome sign is just as it was the last time. The wave of nostalgia hits me like a splash of cool water on a warm summer day—I haven’t been back in years.

“Golden Cove? That doesn’t even sound like a real place,” Willow croons as she tries to take a picture of the welcome sign with her phone.

“Home sweet home.” I earnestly put a hand on my chest.

“How many people live here?”

“Right around 5,000, last I checked.”

We drive through town, and it takes me all the way back. It’s the diner, where my mom and I had breakfast every Sunday, the only religion I’d ever known. It’s the ice cream shop, where I got my first job and would work on the weekends.

This feels like it hasn’t changed a bit. Just how I like it. There’s always comfort in familiar places like this.

We pull into The Cove. It’s the only bed and breakfast on the beach and my go-to place to stay.

“The game plan. We check in, drop our bags, and get to the carnival.”

Willow gives me a thumbs up.

We walk in, the bell dings, and Sally pops up from behind the front desk.