“You finally have some more answers!” Kendall beams as she looks at me.
“My mind is reeling knowing we leave on Friday. What then?”
“Spend every minute with him, if that’s what you want. The big question is, whatdoyou want?” Lane questions me with one eyebrow raised.
I want to see where this all leads, but there’s more that needs to be figured out. I’m still hoping to spend more time with him, learn more about him, and allow things to develop. As I touch my hip, I realize that, if he doesn’t start the abortionconversation, I need to. It’s a big part of our story, and the need to talk about it is building inside of me.
The letter was heartfelt and handing it to me after all these years took courage. He had no way of knowing how I would react, but he did it anyway. A smile stretches across my face as I think about meeting up with him and walking along the beach tonight, where we can talk some more.
“I’m figuring that out. Right now, I want to spend tonight with him.”
“One moment at a time,” Kendall says as she looks at me with love in her eyes.
“You guys don’t mind, right? I know this is supposed to be a girls’ trip, but it’s gotten hijacked by Jude.”
“Girl, you know we’re here for you. We just want you to be happy. If spending time with Jude is making you happy, then we fully support it.”
Kendall, Addison, and Lane are the kind of best friends who stick by you through thick and thin, always ready with a smile and words of encouragement. Despite knowing my past with Jude, they still encourage me to be with him, assuring me I’m not losing my mind. Being with him makes me feel vibrant and alive.
We were head over heels for each other, and I can’t fathom how I lived without this electric connection for so long. It’s the feeling I’ve been chasing for years, a sensation that was non-existent with every other date. There was barely even a hint of a spark, let alone a flame, just emptiness. Jude has shown me, in such a short time, how our hearts connect in a profound way.
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. We’re meeting up for a walk on the beach. Just like old times, we’ll sit, watch the sunset, and stargaze.” My body heats up at the thought of being in his embrace and feeling cherished—like I’m his lifeline.
“Aw, how sweet, Faith,” Addison remarks, giving me a side hug.
“It was all his idea.” His presence fills me with happiness. My heart swells when he’s near, and those damn butterflies flutter in my stomach…They are really something else. The memory of the hurt and pain lingers, but his presence seems to soften those memories, replacing them with tenderness and perspective.
“For him to take care of you last night was above and beyond. He seems like a good guy,” Lane says.
She’s right. He is a good guy, even after all these years. The person he is hasn’t really changed. He is sweet, caring, loving…everything I’ve always wanted in a partner.
“Yep, he is one of the good ones, and us meeting here feels like it was meant to happen,” I reply with stars in my eyes, thinking about him and how all of this is serendipitous.
Following dinner, my friends make their way to the pool area, and I go back to my room. Jude is coming to get me soon, and I’m excited to find out what the night has in store for us under the night sky.
TWENTY-NINE
JUDE
The sun is low in the sky as we make our way to the beach. Once we step on the sand, it molds beneath our feet. The lulling sound of the lapping waves calms me. I take her hand in mine as we make our way to an empty chair. One chair, that’s all we need to re-enact our nights at the lake house.
She smiles as I look over at her. That’s genuine happiness all the way to her eyes. It makes me stand taller…knowing I’m the one putting that smile on her face. I want to do that every day for the rest of my life. It feels right.
Shefeels right.
“You have such a beautiful smile,” I say, shaking my head in disbelief that she is here with me.
“Well, I’m happy to be spending time with you tonight. Why wouldn’t I have a smile on my face?” It’s a rhetorical question, one that spurs me to bring her hand to my lips and gently kiss it while my eyes linger on her.
The way she talks to me ignites something inside. We reach the chair tucked away near some palm trees. It’s peaceful. I sit down and tug her hips into my lap. She’s still in that purple dress, and I’m trying to restrain myself—at least while we’re inpublic. It’s a challenge with her body pressed against mine and a clear view of her perky tits.
“I put together our favorite songs playlist for tonight.” She seemed to enjoy dancing earlier, so it was an obvious choice. It’s a mix of 90s alternative rock and a few newer slow songs I added to switch it up. Dancing with her on the beach will be pure magic.
She moves her head enough to look up at me and say, “That’s so sweet and thoughtful. I’m excited to hear what songs you put on there.”
I take my phone out and click on the playlist. I shuffle the songs, and the first one that plays is Hoobastank’s “The Reason.” I can’t hold back a chuckle. If that isn’t a message, I’m not sure what is. It really could be my theme song.
Stroking her arms with my fingertips, I encourage her, “Well, let’s dance.”
