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“I disagree,” Drew said with all the confidence in the world. “Love doesn’t need to be that way. We don’t need the sun, because even on the coldest of winter nights, I’d keep you warm. I’ll be your sun. Plus, not all men cheat. I’d never cheat on you.”
Lacey believed that. Drew didn’t seem the type, not that Kevin had, either, but one thing she knew for sure—the two men couldn’t be more different.
“I know you wouldn’t.” Lacey glanced at the clock on her phone. “Let’s talk about something else. Because I need to leave soon.”
“I’ll come to the airport with you.”
Lacey could feel the pressure of tears building in her eyes. “Thank you, but that will make it worse. I’d rather say goodbye to you here.”
“I wasn’t coming to say goodbye. I’ll never say those words to you. It’ll be more of a ‘see you later’ and help you with your bags. Iwillbe seeing you again. If I could have changed my flight to leave with you today, I would have. Being here for even forty-eight hours without you won’t be the same.”
“I’d still prefer to go to the airport alone, if that’s okay?” The thought of getting on a plane with red, swollen eyes didn’t sound appealing.
Drew signed the breakfast bill. “Is there anything special you’d like to do?”
“I’d love to take a walk on the beach with you.”
Without hesitation, Drew took Lacey’s hand and headed outside. Lacey wasn’t sure how she would make it through the rest of the morning with a smile on her face. It was bad enough seeing the disappointment in Drew’s eyes when she told him she’d go to the airport alone. But despite her inner turmoil, she linked her fingers with Drew’s and for what could be the last time headed toward the beach where they first met.
Knowing the weather in New York would be the complete opposite, Lacey had on a pair of jeans rather than a sundress or shorts. “I’m going to miss it here.” The light breeze lifted her hair offher shoulders. “You’re so lucky that you get to enjoy this beautiful warmth for two more days. I’m going home to snow and a ridiculous windchill.”
Drew stopped and pulled her into his arms. Their bodies pressed together in all the right places. Everything about them was so in sync. A fresh wave of sadness washed over Lacey. Would they make it once they returned to their normal lives?
“You could always stay here with me,” Drew said hopefully.
“As wonderful as that sounds…”
“I know, you need to get back home. I’ll miss you, Lacey.” He cupped her face with his hands. “You made this an unforgettable vacation.”
Lacey blinked back a few tears. “I’ll miss you too.” She rolled up on the balls of her sneakered feet and brought her lips to Drew’s. Just like their first kiss and each one that had followed, her entire body came alive. He shifted his hands to her back and hugged her as though afraid she would vanish. Lacey snaked her arms around his neck and held on just as tight.
It could have been seconds or minutes, but when their kiss ended, Lacey frowned. “I suppose I should get going.”
They stood and stared at each other. “The sunsets won’t be the same without you.” Drew pressed his lips to her forehead.
Lacey closed her eyes and marked that moment as one she’d never forget.
Chapter 16
Drew stood next to Lacey and her bags outside of Spero as they waited for her cab. It was the shortest twenty minutes of his life. As soon as the concierge called for the car, it felt as though it had arrived.
The driver lifted her bags into the trunk, and Lacey turned to Drew. “I guess this is it… for now.” Those last two words brought the biggest smile to his face. “I’ll text you when I land.”
“I’ll be waiting, and when I get back to Chicago, we’ll make plans to see each other.”
They stood in silence, staring at each other. Even the sounds of the cab’s engine vanished. Drew dipped his head to look directly into her eyes. “Anytime you need me, please call.”
Lacey nodded, a spark of joy in her baby blue eyes. Relief washed over him when she didn’t balk at his statement, which gave way to hope that they really could have a future together. He stared into her eyes; even after their few short days together, he couldn’t imagine his life without Lacey in it. Drew tucked a few errant strands of hair behind her ear before pulling her into a hug. “I’m going to miss you,” she murmured against his chest.
Drew released his hold on her, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her. Just like always, adrenaline spiked through his body as their lips touched. His whole body ached for her, and he wished she could stay longer, but Drew knew she’d stayed as long as she could, and he was grateful for it. And besides, he was hopeful it wouldn’t be long before he could hold her again.
Drew leaned into the open window on the cab’s passenger side. “Give us a minute, please?” he asked the driver, who nodded.
Lacey looked up at him. “Drew?”
“I don’t want you to miss your flight, and there was definitely a better time to tell you this, but…”
“What is it?”
