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“What happened, Richard? Did the rush of not sneaking around grow old and she leave?” When he drops his head, I realize I hit the nail right on it. “I cannot believe it. Are you serious?” I pull myself out of his hold. “If you ever touch me again, I will press charges. You disgust me, Richard. I should have left long ago.” I step away from him. Abruptly, I turn back and point in his direction. “And if you ever, ever address me as your wife again, you’ll have hell to pay.”
I turn back toward the exit and try to find Ryan.
Taking a wild shot in the dark, I head toward a spot Ryan had mentioned as a writing location. I have my sandals in my hands and I’m looking for some sort of sign. My head is down and I’m watching the water splash against my feet when I notice a set of footprints. Figuring I’m going the right way, I continue my path until I stop at a cave-like opening. Just when I get to the opening of the cave, something catches my eye. Further down, Ryan is skipping rocks against the ocean. He’s wearing khaki pants and a light button up shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Just the sight of him makes my mouth water.
Once I’m close enough to him, he looks over his shoulder and throws another rock. “Shouldn’t you be with your husband?” he snaps.
“No. I think I’m where I belong.”
“So, you’re still married?” He skips another rock.
“Is that what you believe?” I refuse to encourage an answer within him. He has to answer this question on his own.
“I don’t know what to believe, Callie.” He turns and faces me. “How would it look if the roles were reversed?”
“Weren’t they?” I slowly step up to face him. His confused look surprises me. “Did we not just have the tables turned last night?”
“That’s different.”
“Is it?”
“What do you want from me?” His voice is emotionally drained.
“I want you to answer the question. Do you honestly believe I would have allowed doing what we did last night knowing I was married?” He runs his fingers through his hair.
“Isn’t that how we ended up two years ago?”
“Ryan. We were both drunk and you know it.”
“I have waited for you for so long,” he admits, resting his hands on his hips.
“And I, you.”
“So, now what?”
“We finish our writing.”
“Then what, we just go separate ways?”
“Is that what you want?”
“You know it isn’t.” He finally looks up and faces me. “What I want is to spend the rest of my life with you.” That comment causes me to gasp. “I’m serious, Callie. When we get home, I want to start the rest of my forever with you. But I won’t do it if you’re still attached.”
I step up to him and wrap my arms around his neck. He drops his head and rests his forehead against mine. “He’s here for a conference. Someone happened to tell him I was here. That’s how he found out. The divorce was finalized months ago. But the marriage was gone years ago. And if last night didn’t convince you of that, I don’t know what will.”
“I have a few ideas.” He sounds lighter now. Thank God.
“So, you believe me?” He nods. “Good.” He chuckles in response before lifting me in his arms and running toward the ocean. I scream and laugh at the same time holding onto his neck for dear life. Ryan’s laughter is contagious. He doesn’t stop until we’re up to our shoulders in water.
“When we fly home… Come home with me?” he asks. I bite my lip and make the most compulsive decision I’ve ever made.
“Okay.”
He instantly pulls us out of the water. When I ask him what he’s doing, he shakes his head. When he guides us to the cave, there’s a blanket and a basket.
“I set this up early this morning while you were sleeping.”
“Ryan. It’s beautiful.”
