“I remember. That’s a great painting.”
“I was hoping you might like to do a class here when it suits your schedule. I’ve asked around, and there’s a lot of interest.”
Ethan’s hand grips my thigh, and when I meet his gaze, I know without his speaking what he’s thinking.
“I’d love to. I’ll give her my info before we leave.”
We spend the rest of our afternoon with Ethan joining forces with the woman who bowls, but I put my foot down at the two of them taking money from visitors in bets. That stuff should be left for the seniors who live here. I don’t need that kind of drama in my life.
On the drive back to Chance, we talk about what lies ahead. Apartment hunting, the opportunities, bringing Uncle Albert back here for breakfast, like he asked. The list is long, but it’s exciting.
It’s exciting in a way I’ve never felt, and the powerful hope I’m gripped with is both overwhelming and empowering. I’ve spent my entire life so afraid of change because the first time my life changed, it was devastating. It robbed me of more than my mother.
But I’m no longer a scared ten-year-old boy.
I have the mechanisms in place to help when it’s overwhelming. Most importantly, I have good friends who have my back and a man who loves me.
With Ethan, all I see is happiness and hope. It’s like a blank canvas just before I pickup the paintbrush or try a new fly in the river. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but it’s never one I regret.
“You okay?” Ethan asks gently from the passenger seat.
“Honestly?” My lips turn upward until a giant grin hurts my face. “I’m just thinking about all the empty boxes piled in the living room and how fortunate I am that I haven’t brought them to recycle yet.”
Ethan laughs. “It was meant to be.”
“It really was.”
Epilogue - Colt
How is this my life?
The sun drops close to the horizon, lighting up the ocean to a magnificent blue with its pink and purples as it sets for the evening. It’s the perfect backdrop as my fly line whips across the water in a practiced move.
I never thought I’d be fly-fishing in Belize as part of my damn job. After lighting up my cigar, I inhale the cherry whiskey flavor and clamp it between my teeth as I soak up everything about this private paradise.
A splash behind me has me turn my head to find Ethan wading through the water toward me. His skin tans so easily. He’s like a bronzed god as the fading light almost makes him glow.
“Ah, the cigar came out. You’re happy.”
Blowing the smoke into the air above my head, I nod. “Happier now that you’re out here.”
“Pfft. I’ve been on the beach watching you all afternoon. I’m never far.”
After pulling in my fly line, I offer my hand and pullhim closer to me. The warm ocean water splashes up between us, and I can’t think of a more perfect moment in my entire life.
Ethan reaches for my cigar and puffs on it, blowing a circle into the air above us.
“I don’t know what it is about you and a cigar Colt, but holy fuck, does it ever do it for me.”
My laugh is low as I take the cigar back from him and draw a final puff before letting the smoke billow out through my lips and watching Ethan’s eyes grow dark.
“It does it for me, too, when you look at me like that.” My finger trails down his chest and over the bulge in his bathing suit. “Let’s take this out of the water, yeah?”
Ethan nods and grabs my hand as we wade back to our villa on the beach. It’s not quite perfect, but pretty close. Six villas sit along the beach with private gardens and pools. Dense clumps of palm trees and jungle-like shrubs guard our privacy. It would be perfect if we were alone and Ethan could moan as loud as he wants, but it’s fun to get him to stay quiet, too. Quiet time is for back in Fort Collins in our apartment with thin walls.
Here…I don’t care who hears us.
He pulls me along the beach and up the path to our gorgeous villa that has probably graced the cover of a travel magazine more than once.
