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Nate
The following morning, I wake alone in my bed. Shawna insisted I take her home so she would be there when Noah woke up in the morning. I understood, but I also wished she could’ve stayed and slept with me.
I felt like a dick for not telling her about leaving town all through dinner. I just couldn’t bring myself to say it. However, afterward, I couldn’t hold it in any longer and had to tell her the truth. Well, part of the truth, at least. She still doesn’t know the truth about why Rob and I really came to Port Townsend. I hate the fact that she doesn’t know. I want her to know who I really am, not who I’m pretending to be. I don’t think I can bring myself to tell her, though. She would hate me for lying to her, especially since it involves her ex. And Rob would probably kill me for telling her.
Our time together last night was incredible. I haven’t slept with a woman I had feelings for in years. Not since … Hannah. Sure, I’ve had sex a few times with women I randomly hooked up with, but those times didn’t mean anything. They were more of a twisted sort of therapy to help get Hannah off my mind, and as fucked up as it sounds, I suppose it worked. Anyway, regardless, last night with Shawna was amazing.
When we got back to my room after dinner, we had sex a couple more times before I took her home. The chemistry between us is off the charts, and I loved watching her come undone over and over again. I hope we get the chance to be alone at least once more before I leave town.
My phone buzzes, and I reach over to grab it off the nightstand. It’s only seven o’clock, but Shawna sent me a good morning text.
Shawna:Good morning. Thank you for last night. I had a wonderful time. Hopefully, I’ll see you today?
I’m glad to know she wants to see me again today. Hopefully, that includes going out with me again tonight.
Me:I had a wonderful time last night, too. I’d love to see you later. Can I take you out again tonight?
As I wait for her response, I notice Shawna’s scent is still on my pillow. My mind flashes back to her lying on her back, right here in this spot, while I licked her pussy. Fuck, she was so responsive and sexy as hell. I couldn’t get enough of her.
Shawna: I’d love to go out tonight. It’ll be our last chance before you leave. I can meet you so you don’t have to drive all the way out to my house.
Me:No, I don’t mind picking you up. Besides, I’d like to say goodbye to Noah.
Noah. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to that kid. Shawna’s done a great job raising him, and he’s been fun to get to know. I wish I had more time to spend in Port Townsend. I wish everything about the circumstances of meeting Shawna were different as well.
I get out of bed and shower. Once I’m ready for the day, I meet Rob for coffee across the street. We’re going to do surveillance today, just in case Jarred decides to come back to town on our last day here. I’d love it if he decided to make an appearance so we could detain him and put an end to this case, but I’m skeptical that’ll happen.
However, if that did happen, I’d have a lot of explaining to do to Shawna, and she’d probably hate me. I feel guilty for lying to her. Maybe I should come clean tonight so she knows everything. Not only do I want her to know the real me but she also needs to know the truth about Jarred. What if he contacts her after I’ve left town? I doubt he would hurt her or Noah, but it’s possible, considering how dangerous he is. Why hadn’t I thought about this before? With Rob and I leaving town tomorrow, who knows what’ll happen? I might need to tell Shawna everything so she’s aware her ex is a wanted man and to contact me if she hears from him.
Just the thought of Jarred hurting her or Noah drives me crazy. I don’t care what Rob would think about me telling Shawna. I have to do it in order to protect them. Tonight, I’ll tell Shawna the whole truth.
* * *
As I pull into the driveway, sadness washes over me, knowing I’ll never pick Shawna up for a date here again. This’ll be the last time I’ll get to see Noah, too. When I bring Shawna back home tonight, he’ll already be in bed. The realization hurts more than I expected.
I knock on the door, and I hear Noah on the other side yell, “I’ll get it!” Within a few seconds, the door swings open, and Noah’s cheerful smile greets me. “Hi, Nate!”
“Hey, bud. How are you?”
Noah shrugs, and his smile fades. “My mom said this is the last time I’ll get to see you. That you have to go back to California. Why?”
His big, blue puppy dog eyes hit me right in the gut. “The Navy is sending me back down there.”
Noah cocks his head, considering what I said. Then he replies, “When will you come back here?”
This is harder than I expected. “I don’t know,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.
Shawna walks down the stairs, looking as beautiful as ever. “Hi,” she says.
“Hi.” Her hair is curled again, hanging down over her shoulders. Unlike when she’s working at the bar, Shawna has done herself up for me. I’d be happy with her more casual self, but knowing she wants to look her best for me makes me feel good. It lets me know she cares enough to want to get dressed up for me.
Shawna says goodbye to Noah, as well as her mom, and then we leave. Unlike last night, we go out to dinner first instead of my hotel room. As we enjoy our time together, chatting over our meal, I contemplate how and when I’m going to tell her everything. It doesn’t seem like the right time now. Also—and I realize it’s selfish of me—but it’s possible Shawna will be mad when I tell her, and I don’t want to ruin our entire evening.
After dinner, we walk out on the pier. It’s dark out, but lights illuminate the way. It’s not raining, but the sky is cloudy, so the moon and stars aren’t visible. As we stand at the end of the pier, the sound of the water lapping against the pier is all we hear. It’s peaceful. We’re alone, with nothing but the vast Puget Sound out in front of us and the quiet town behind us. This would be the perfect time to tell her. I need to tell her. Even if it ruins our evening, it’s the right thing to do.
“I’m going to miss you,” Shawna says just as I open my mouth to speak. “I knew you were only here temporarily, but it’s still hard for me to think about this being the last night we have together.”
I turn to her, and she faces me. “I’m going to miss you, too,” I say before she wraps her arms around me and leans her head on my shoulder.
