Nova hates that she told me her real birthdate almost as much as she hates celebrating birthdays. The last time we discussed birthdays, she told me hers was September seventh, knowing damn well that we'd still be in Halifax for her real birthday, which is today, July twenty-first.

Yesterday, she begged and pleaded with me not to do anything for her birthday or to tell anyone. I agreed to one of those after laughing at the fact that she didn't want to distract any attention from the wedding. If she thinks she can just have a down day for her twenty-third birthday, she's highly mistaken. The Ashfords have always celebrated birthdays to their full potential, and that's not going to stop anytime soon. Even if it means that only she and I will be celebrating it.

I've decided we're going to drive to Peggy's Cove. We're also going to stay at a cottage on the ocean for the night. The plan formed in my mind when she mentioned something about loving kayaking.

This morning, I woke her up in the silvery predawn light and I think she was ready to throttle me. However, when I mentioned kayaking on the ocean, she shut up and started packing. It was cute, seeing her excited and flustered.

There is one major twist in the plan, though.

Nova doesn't know we're spending the night away from the house. Meaning, when I pull into a parking spot right in front of the small cottage I booked, she's genuinely surprised.

"Oh my God," she says, jumping out of the vehicle. "I love this." She eyes me carefully. "I'm still not a fan of this surprise, though."

I grin. "Figured you would. And it looks like you're just going to have to get the hell over it. Let loose a bit, Scotia. You're with an Ashford now."

Her smile morphs into a frown. "Wait. If we're spending the day here, why didn't we park in the parking lot?"

Without answering her question, I open the back door and grab a bag that I snuck into the vehicle. It was a difficult task with Nova being so observant, but I eventually smuggled it in without her knowing.

With the bag slung over my shoulder, I take my place beside her and wrap an arm around her waist. "We parked here because we're staying overnight. Although I really feel like I should be cancelling all of this due to the fact that you lied to me about your birthday, I can't. So here we are."

She smiles and elbows me in the ribs. "You're lucky I like you."

I pull the key from my pocket. "Let's get going – we're losing kayaking time. You brought your bikini, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"Good," I reply, shooting her a grin.

* * *

Turns out, kayaking is very enjoyable; seeing the coastline and the seals and the Atlantic dolphins. But what's even better is my unparalleled view of Nova's body as she helps me paddle our red double kayak along the coastline. She may be wearing a shirt to prevent her skin from burning, but she still looks so hot.

I watch her point out another pod of dolphins.

"Best birthday you've ever had, huh?" I ask.

"So great," she smiles. "If I hadn't agreed to this trip, I'd probably be sitting in the bathtub with a glass of wine and reading a book."

"Wanna go check out one of the beaches?" I ask, nodding at one of the rocky shorelines.

"Sure."

We get over to the beach within five minutes, me doing most of the paddling. Heaving the kayak up onto the sand, I help Nova out and then grab the plastic bag full of peanut butter and jam sandwiches we made.

We head to a spot that's out of the way and sit down in the sand, both of us enjoying the warm, salty breeze coming off the ocean and the hot sun beating down on us as we eat.

"You know," she says after about five minutes of silence. "I'm fairly happy I told you about my birthday."

"Really?" I ask sarcastically. "I had no idea. The smile on your face proves nothing."

She rolls her eyes. "Sarcastic ass."

"You love it," I say, wrapping an arm around her waist.

Nova dips her hand in the water our feet have been residing in, and flicks it in my face. "I suppose I do."

I wipe the water away, and then, with the greater amount of strength I have compared to her, I flip us so I'm hovering over her. She lets out a surprised gasp, but her arms are already winding around my neck, her lips already ready for what's about to happen next.

With the sand beneath her back, I throw one leg over hers to pin her down. Resting my weight on one arm, I slide my other hand down her body until I'm gripping the hem of her shirt. "I don't think you'll instantly burn," I murmur, teasingly pulling the fabric up. "You can put it back on when we're finished here."

"Okay," she whispers, gently pushing me away. I roll off of her, giving her enough space to remove the shirt.

When she does, I catch a glimpse of something on the left side of her body. For a moment I think it's just the scar, but then I realize that scars aren't black. Frowning, I reach out and roll her over so we're lying face-to-face. My mind blanks when I see what's been inked into her skin next to the scar.

Lost in a trance, I trace my fingers over the tattoo, dwelling on how beautiful it looks on her. The lighthouse and the cursive writing – it all screams Nova Elliot.

"Why?" I ask, finally tearing my gaze away from the tattoo.

She sighs. "I know it's out of character. But your idea spoke to me on so many different levels that I just figured I'd look into it. Sorry for lying to you, by the way. I – "

"You didn't go for a run," I finish for her. "You went to see Greyson."

"Yes," she says, reaching up to run her fingers through my hair. I watch as she bites her lip before continuing on: "Do you like it?"

I look at the tattoo, wondering if it has anything to do with the keychain we found together. I highly doubt it, though, because I know what lighthouses symbolize for a lot of people – it's a common fact when there are literally hundreds lining the coast of Nova Scotia.

Looking back up into those big brown eyes, I catch a glimpse of something that makes me think she's hoping I like it, almost as if she doesn't want to disappoint me.

"I fucking love it," I say.

"Good," she smiles.

Our lips brush for a second before I'm hovering over her, resting my weight on my arms. Her arms find their rightful place around my neck, and she pulls me down so more of my weight is pressed against her slender body. She runs a hand down my spine. I shiver as she gently tugs on my neck as though she wants all my weight on her. I relax my arms a little, pressing down on her even more.

For the first time, without a single drop of alcohol in our systems, we're skin-to-skin, and her lips, when I taste them again, have a tinge of salt and are frustratingly warm from the heat of the sun. My body reacts instantly. Painfully so. Mildly embarrassed, I try to shift my weight so she isn't fully aware, but she holds me in place, raising her hips in the slightest way possible.

Shit.

I groan before I can stop myself – the feel of her against me is almost too much. And she damn well knows it because there's a devilish grin on her face. I open my mouth, ready to make a comment, but she beats me to it.

"Kiss me," she says.

Smiling, I nudge her chin to the side and kiss the hollow of her throat, licking the salt from her skin. Her hands continue to slide up and down my body; I feel her trace the hard muscles of my abdomen, the elastic waistband of my swim shorts, the curve of my neck. Her touch is lighting to water, and fuck if she keeps doing this because it's enough to drive me insane. It's taking every bit of control I possess to not lose myself and take her right here on the beach. The heat from Nova's mouth, the sparks her touch leave behind, and the sound of her sighing when my lips meet hers is driving me over the edge.

With the little amount of self-control I have, I break away and roll off of her. We're now lying shoulder-to-shoulder in the sand, breathing heavily under the summer sun. Feeling sudden loneliness in my gut, reach out and wrap an arm around her shoulders.

"You're going to get me arrested," I mutter. "You really do drive me fucking insane sometimes."

She giggles and rests her head on my shoulder as she strokes my hair. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of waves crashing against the shore and gulls chirping. Without warning, a smile breaks through. I'm so fucking happy right now I wish I could freeze this moment and make it last forever.

"You know," Nova murmurs after a couple of minutes.

I'm drowsy, my eyes closed as I enjoy this moment, but I still nod my head to urge her on.

"I did feel a bit of a pull toward you when I walked into the dorm room on the day we met. I hated you instantly, but there was still that undeniable attraction."

That is not what I was expecting to hear from her. I lift my head and see she's removed her sunglasses. Her eyes are now closed, face tilted to the sky.

"In fact," she continues. "There was this one night where I consumed too much wine, and I wanted to go to the club you and the boys go to so I could find you." She pauses, shaking her head. An auburn curl falls in her face. "Thank God Julia was there to prevent me from driving while under the influence and to stop me from making of a fool of myself."

"When was this?" I ask.

"April – just before our final exams. I think the stress was beginning to get to me at that point. Subconsciously, I wanted to start living again."

"Understandable," I say, thinking about everything she's been through and how it has held her back.

"That wasn't the only time," she says quietly. "There were moments where I caught myself looking at you for an extended period of time. Times where I wanted you and I hated myself for thinking that way."

I lace my fingers through hers and squeeze. "Sorry," I say, running my thumb along the back of her hand. "If I'd known..."

"No, don't apologize," Nova says. She opens her eyes, and I'm momentarily caught off guard by how brown they are. "On top of hiding it decently, I was also still fighting with myself. Things wouldn't have gone very well between us at that point because, as you said, I have a habit of pushing people away."

Cocking my head at her, I ask, "You're good at that, aren't you?"

"At what?" she frowns.

"At hiding what you feel."

It's her turn to stare at me, and I swear I see a look of hurt cross her face.

"I hid my feelings because I didn't know what else to do," she whispers.

My heart aches for the girl. I can't even begin to understand what it was like to fight between with yourself day after day.

"Listen to me," I say. "Never hide the way you feel from me. I want to know everything – if you're scared or happy or upset or agree or disagree with something, say it. I want to know. You don't need to hide it from me, Novs. I fucking suck at relationships, but I know any kind of untruth is damaging. So, you be you and I'll be me."

Nova looks startled. Hell, even I'm startled with my words. Where the hell is all this coming from? I'm starting to sound sappy and romantic. Goddammit, what is she doing to me? Unsure of where I'm going to go next, I kiss her hard on the lips, showing her how I feel right now.

And, when she kisses me back, I swear this moment is perfect.