Kat is and always will be, the one who got away.When Elijah said that about Pen, I knew what he meant. Understood his pain. No one else has come close to what we had in the past sixteen years. She ruined me for everyone else, despite our young age. I’ve tried everything to forget her. I moved away, even got engaged, thinking moving on would help. Instead, I almost ended up ruining someone else’s life in the process. Luckily for both of us, I came to my senses.
I suck in a breath as she turns and moves away, my eyes trailing after her. I rub a hand over my jaw and try to focus on the notes in front of me, but it doesn’t take me long to realise I’m fighting a losing battle. I close my laptop and drop back in my chair, signalling to one of the waiters. I order a beer and wonder if I’ll get any sleep tonight, with Kat lying only a few feet away.
CHAPTER 18
KAT
Ileave Mr Baskin and his team and decide to take a walk along the sand.
I check on the progress at my waterlogged villa, finding the island’s maintenance team hard at work. At sea, another team is working to fix the breakwater.
I kick off my shoes and pick them up, letting my feet sink into the sand. It really is as beautiful as the photographs make it seem. Crystal blue waters and bright white sand.
I move further down towards the water, walking where the sea and shore meet, as the sand grows hot beneath my feet. The breakwaters mean the water is calm, the waves barely lapping at the sand.
I sigh and stop, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the moment. Turning towards the sun, I close my eyes and tilt my head back, letting its warmth envelop me.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
I open my eyes and turn to find an older woman walking towards me.
She smiles, and I find myself returning it.
“Make sure you stay hydrated, love,” she adds. “It’s very easy to get dehydrated this close to the equator.” She holds up a hand. “Sorry, I was a doctor, old habits die hard. I can’t help myself.”
She comes to stand next to me, staring out over the water.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I say.
“All inclusive, we enjoy a good cocktail or three,” she says, with a wink. “They serve beautiful coffees, but it’s easy to forget to drink water.”
“That’s very true,” I say, making a mental note to add it to the welcome speech. “Are you enjoying your stay?”
She turns her head and grins. “It’s been wonderful. My husband and I are celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary. Today, actually.”
“Congratulations. That’s amazing.”
Knowing it really is in today’s society, where divorce is prevalent.
She laughs, and the sound warms my heart.
“It is. We have stickability.” She chuckles. “Poor man, would have been out by now for good behaviour.” She winks, making me laugh. “It’s not been all plain sailing, I don’t know a marriage that is. We argue, of course. But we love each other, and we’re always there, supporting and encouraging one another.”
She reminds me of Mum and Dad before… they would argue, but their love for one another was evident in everything they did.
“How did you know?” I find myself asking. “He wasthe one?”
She smiles. “One day he laughed, and I knew from that moment, I wanted to hear that sound for the rest of my life.”
My throat constricts at her words.
“How about you?” she asks.
“I’m here on business,” I say, before I can stop myself. “I’m Kathryn Frazer.”
The woman inclines her head.
“Ah, the CEO of the Frazer Hotel Group,” she says, her eyes twinkling. “A successful businesswoman. If I have any complaints—” She trails off.
