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Not exactly original, but it’s a classic. And true. Nothing that happens in our futures can take away the two weeks we had here.
I back away from the message carefully to avoid wrecking the pristine sand. Then I run, knowing Lila will be wondering where I am.
We have a plane to catch.
An hour later, we’re sitting in a line of chairs at the rental car place, waiting to turn in our vehicle, when both of our phones buzz simultaneously.
Lila can’t get to her phone with Rosie sleeping in her arms. “What is it?” she asks.
I turn mine over. “Our flight has been delayed by two hours.”
“Two hours!”
She looks down at Rosie. “What are we going to do for two hours? The airport is so tiny.”
“Be glad we haven’t turned the car in. We can always drive around the island.”
Lila nods. “It’s true. Rosie likes napping in her car seat.”
We go back to our car. There’s no returning to our condo. We already dropped the keys off at the rental office. But I’m happy to drive around, maybe reminisce a little. It beats sitting in uncomfortable chairs with a restless toddler.
Lila reinstalls the car seat she pulled out only a few minutes ago. “Maybe we can get something to eat?” She carefully shuts the door to avoid waking Rosie. “I’m starving.”
My mind is on Gabe, of course. He’ll be at the hut, unlocking the shutters and starting the prep work.
I could see him.
The need to look at him one more time overwhelms me.
“Lila?”
She already knows what I’m thinking. “It’s fine. I’ll drop you off at the condos. Rosie and I can drive around. I can eat in the car.”
I jump into the passenger seat, and we race back across the island to our complex.
Only after she’s driven away do I feel nervous. Gabe and I said our goodbyes last night. I shouldn’t push this. I should let it end where it did.
But the pull of him is strong.
I walk to the end of the path through the buildings until I see the ocean.
And then he’s there, lifting shutters to his bar.
My feet start running, barreling down the path toward him.
Gabe spots me, and the look of pure happiness on his face tells me I’ve done the right thing. He doesn’t even bother to go around the back, but leaps right over the counter into the sand.
Then I’m in his arms, my face against his chest.
He kisses the top of my head. “What happened?”
“Our flight has been delayed. And I had to see you again. I needed to hold on to you one more time.”
He tangles his fingers in my hair. “I know. Me too.”
My mouth keeps talking, way out in front of my brain. But I have to say what I need to say.
“I know it’s only been two weeks. But I feel so much with you. So, so much. It’s hard for me to walk away. I know it’s paradise. I know it’s vacation. I know it’s hard to figure out what’s real.” I pull back and look up at him. “But it’s not that for you. This is your home. Your ordinary work. Please tell me what you’re feeling.”
