“Gimme those!” Goma snatched her underwear from him and gave him a death glare.
“Good job!” I said, high-fiving Scholastica. I knelt before her and poked her nose. Her arms went around my shoulders and she gave me the tightest hug.
“Kesho.” She pointed to the sky.
“Yes,” I replied, the words wedged in my throat. “Tomorrow, I fly. Far away.” I held her hand as I straightened. “I’m going to miss you.”
Goma and Bahati came around. The four of us hugged in the shadow of the mountain as berry-laden coffee plants swayed around us. Then Goma broke loose.
“Okay. I’m done. My bones can’t take any more hugging today. Go.” She shooed me away. “Go get packed. I’ve left a little something in your room. Don’t open it until you’re on the plane.”
“Thank you,” I said. “For everything.” My heart felt like it was going to snap, so I turned around and headed toward the house. Through the fluttering clothes on the line, I saw Jack watching us. He was standing by the four tombstones, under the acacia tree. Everything stilled as our eyes met. In that one instant, we relived it all—that first meeting on the porch, the way he’d cheated at book charades, the way I’d run from my own shadow in the mist,next time grab the oh-shit handle,his teeth grazing my neck,give me your tongue, him holding my hand on the train tracks,I turn around for two seconds and you’re at another tea party,me combing his hair, holding hands under the blanket on our swing. Our swing. Ours.
But our time was done. Except for one more night.
He watched as I walked over to him. I wrapped my arms around him, wanting to soak up the feel of him, wanting it to seep deep into my bones so I could store it in my marrow. We rocked gently, side to side.
As the afternoon sun warmed our backs, I sought out the little tombstone under the tree.
Goodbye, Lily.Every time the sun shines through the rain, I will look for you. I will look for you in rainbows, and I will remember a man who holds the whole sky in his eyes.
ISTOPPED ATthe entrance of The Grand Tulip and scanned the white expanse of the outside wall.
“The first time I saw Bahati, he was standing right here. I thought he was a statue,” I said to Jack. He was wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his strong, tanned forearms. I wasn’t used to women staring at him. I’d pretty much had him all to myself. Until now.
As we entered the lobby, heads turned, hair was fluffed, legs tilted, postures corrected. It was as if a hot wind had blown in, bringing with it a heady, intoxicating fragrance.
Down, girls.I lay my hand possessively on Jack’s as we checked in. For the first time in years, I had the urge to paint my nails, so they gleamed like sharp little talons.Keep off.
They were envious of me. I could see it in their eyes. And yet, jealousy was stabbing at my own heart, because I was leaving and I couldn’t stand the thought of him with anyone else.
“Are you okay?” asked Jack, scanning my face.
“Yes.” I shook off the blue thoughts that were starting to rain down on me. I had seen the end coming before we began. I had pushed for it anyway. And it was worth every aching, twinging emotion because standing before him right then, I knew down to the depths of my soul: Jack had eyes for no one else but me. And there was nothing more exhilarating than being hit with the full force of that.
“Come on.” I dragged him toward the lifts. I didn’t want to waste any of our precious time together on empty, useless thoughts.
Our room was on the top level—the third floor, with a balcony that overlooked mounds of bright, pink bougainvillea spilling around a tranquil blue swimming pool.
“Goma must have asked for their nicest suite,” I said, taking in the silky bed linens, the bay window with crimson tieback curtains, the lush sitting area, the dressing table, the gilded mirror on the wall. There was a soaking tub in the bathroom, a giant shower cubicle, and gleaming, white marble floors. “Are you noticing any of this?” I grinned, pushing Jack away. He was following me around, taking his own tour. Untucking my top, nibbling my neck, measuring the curve of my waist.
“I notice everything. Like these two vertical ridges that run between your upper lip and nose . . . what’s this space called? It must have a name. It fits the tip of my little finger perfectly.” He proceeded to demonstrate, and then trailed his tongue over the dip of my cupid’s bow. I was getting lost in the magic of his kiss when there was a knock on the door.
“You mind getting that?” he asked, pulling away.
I wasn’t sure about the glint in his eyes. “What’s going on? You look like you’re up to something.” Jack was a take-charge kind of guy. If there was someone at the door, he’d want to get it himself.
“Just. Go. Get. It.” He spun me around.
I opened the door and saw a porter standing there with our luggage. Behind him was a trio of beautiful ladies carrying bags that were definitely not ours.
“Please come in.” Jack swung the door wider and let them in. He tipped the porter while the ladies settled their totes around the dressing area. One of them started hanging garment bags in the closet.
“Jack?” I turned from them to him.
“Rodel, meet Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe,” he said. “I asked them to come in and spoil you. I want you to have a magical afternoon.”
“But I . . . I thought we’d be spending our last day together.”
