“You two are so precious,” the woman said. “We watched you coming up and I said to Ken, ‘Now that couple’s going to make it.’ We’ve been making bets while we wait for our ride. It’s such a romantic place. Not here, obviously…” She gestured to the throngs of people passing by. “But the island itself. Honeymooners everywhere. I hope we haven’t offended you. It’s just a game the two of us—”
“We’re not married.” It was impossible to be offended by their sweetness.
“Ha. You don’t need to be married to have a honeymoon glow.” She chuckled. “Would you mind taking a quick picture of us, dear?” She squished her cheek against her husband’s face after he handed me the camera. “We still have that glow, don’t we?”
“You sure do.” I laughed as they gave me wide, identical smiles and waited for the click.
“Thank you. I’m Judy, by the way.”
“Moti,” I replied, handing their camera back.
“Nice to meet you, Moti.” Her husband put the lens cap back on and held out his hand. “I’m Ken. We’re from Canada. A small town called Hamilton. You?”
“Chicago. Here for a family wedding.”
“How wonderful,” Judy said. “Although, maybe not. Weddings can be stressful, especially so far from home. Good thing you have someone special to look out for you.” She nodded toward Alex.
I thought of the Intro To Orgasms course he’d given me the night before and felt the color rise to my cheeks.Why yes, he does look out for me.
Alex hung up, saw my new friends, and gave me an inquiring glance.
“Alex, this is Judy and her husband, Ken, from Canada.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Alex. “Enjoying your holiday?
“We’re actually on a little detour from our holiday,” Ken said. “We’re staying in Athens, but Judy’s sister and niece got here yesterday, so we thought we’d come see them.”
“Speaking of,” Judy said. “I think we should start making our way to the dock. Our tender is supposed to get here in a few minutes.”
They said goodbye and disappeared into the stream of people on the pier.
“We should get going too. Eddie said he’s already on his way.” Alex swung his backpack over his shoulder. “You ready?” He picked up a strand of my still-wet hair and gave it a tug.
I wasn’t ready, but I followed him to the pick-up spot. Isabelle’s umbrella bobbed from his backpack. It took me back to the cave in the cliffs, watching the sun set behind coal-colored islets, the slew of kisses Alex left on my back this morning. A lifetime of memories packed into the flash of a heartbeat. No, I wasn’t ready to leave it all behind.
I stepped on something and paused. A key chain with a red and white maple leaf, and the initial S hanging off it. Picking it up, I looked around to see who had left it behind. The back of Alex’s head got further and further away from me. Ships crowded the horizon—the Abigail Rose II among them, ready to transport us away. The urge to take, to claim, to keep, overcame me. Clenching my fist, I pressed the silver S tightly into my palm.
S for Stop.
S for Stay.
S for Steal
Alex turned, his eyes searching until they landed on me. He smiled, like he’d found the one face in a sea of faces—a smile lit up by the soft light of the sun. It seeped through every stitch and seam of my heart.
S for Stupid key chain.
My grip loosened, and I started running toward him.
“Come on, Heart-Eyes. Eddie’s about to abandon us.” Alex grabbed my hand.
“I doubt it.” I laughed, as we weaved through the crowd. “If he leaves the chef behind, it’ll be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for everyone.”
“Wait a minute. What are these guys doing here?”
The Canadian couple, Ken and Judy, were boarding our boat.
“Hey,” Alex called, waving to them with an apologetic look. “I think you’re getting on the wrong tender.”
