She jumped from the bed and ran out of the room, her footsteps loud on the hardwoods. I heard the door open and their voices.
I finished dressing, put on earrings, and slipped my feet into a pair of sandals. Before I left the room, I picked up the discarded photo of Jon and me at that table from so long ago. I traced my thumb over his face and whispered, “I want to laugh again. I hope that’s okay.”
The curtains shivered in the ocean breeze coming through the window. Maybe an answer from my long lost love?
I took one last look in the mirror and headed out the door. Toward what, I could not yet say. But at least I was headed somewhere.
Dorian and Anniewere standing in the entryway when I came downstairs. They both turned to look up at me.
“Sorry to make you wait,” I said.
“I can safely say, you’re worth the wait,” Dorian said.
He had a bouquet of pink roses in his hand, wearing a pair of faded jeans and a simple white T-shirt that stretched over his muscular frame just right. What would those muscles feel like under my fingertips? Was I going to find out any time soon? Or would I run?
“These are for you,” Dorian said, handing me the flowers. “According to Esme, not as pretty as the ones from your garden, but they’ll have to do.”
“He brought me chocolates,” Annie said, showing me a small blue box with a white ribbon. “Because I don’t get to go and apparently he has a lot of yummy things in the car.”
“I’m taking you on a picnic,” Dorian said. “If that’s okay?”
“It sounds perfect,” I said. “The weather’s just right.”
“That’s what I figured too,” Dorian said.
“All right, off you go,” Annie said, shooing us toward the door. “Or you’ll miss the sunset.”
I gave Annie the flowers, asking her to put them in a vase for me.
“I’m on it,” Annie said.
“What are you doing this fine evening?” Dorian asked Annie.
“Grace and Mia are coming over,” Annie said. “We’re going to watch a movie. Lila’s bringing lasagna. I’ll share my chocolates with them, even though I don’t want to.”
“There’s always more chocolate in the world,” Dorian said. “And it’s more fun to share with friends than eat it alone.”
Annie scrunched up her face. “Is that true?”
I rolled my eyes. “Have a nice evening, honey. Text me if you need anything.”
“Don’t worry, Lila and Gillian said I can call them if anything comes up, so you can just enjoy yourself.”
“I feel a conspiracy,” I said, chuckling as I tucked my sweater under my arm.
We headed out to Dorian’s dark green SUV. The inside smelled of new leather and was neat and tidy. No missing Cheerios in this car like the one from my past. When Annie was small, I couldn’t keep the car clean. Now, she was nearly grown and my car was without hidden food items. I’d not thought I’d miss those days as much as I did now. Time was slipping away, day by day. Soon Annie would be on to her own life, and where did that leave me?
Which is why you’re on a date,I reminded myself.You’re trying.
“Where are we going on this picnic?” I asked, as he pulled out of the drive.
“There’s a stretch of beach past the lighthouse. Less tourists at this hour.”
I knew the spot. Quiet, slightly hidden. One locals kept to themselves.
“My mom and I used to spend summer afternoons there,” Dorian said. “It was her favorite.”
“What was it like to grow up here back then?” I asked.
