And me.
I looked so happy, I could hardly recognize myself. It was from the lunch we all had together after the storm. I turned it over and saw another message on the back.
Farewells are necessary. They’re the prelude to seeing each other again, and that means there’s no need for sorrow when you and I say goodbye.
Come back soon, dear.
Trey came out and sat next to me. When I looked over at him, I saw the water dripping from his hair.
“Fun day, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I said, still staring at the photo. “Do you remember who took it?”
After a moment’s thought, he responded, “I think it was Ridge’s sister. What was her name?”
“Carlie.”
“Yeah, her. I saw her snapping pictures with her phone.”
“I’m going to miss them. All of them.”
Ruefully, I put the photo away.
“You know we can go back whenever we damn well please, right? We can turn around right now if that’s what you want. All you’ve got to do is say the word.”
But when I looked up into that handsome face—the wordlovedancing on the tip of my tongue, when I uttered it after kissing him—I love you—too softly for him to hear, because I was too scared to shout it—I knew we couldn’t turn around. Not yet. And so I handed him the necklace and asked, “Do you mind?”
He nodded, and I turned around and let him part my hair in the back and clasp it. Then he planted his lips on the spot his fingers had touched and left them there for several seconds.
We got into bed. Trey turned off the TV and the lamp on the nightstand, and with the curtains drawn, I could barely see. I cuddled up to him, and he hugged me, letting me rest my hand on his chest. Our legs wrapped around each other. Tired as I was, though,I couldn’t sleep when I closed my eyes. My mind was too busy trying to absorb the happiness that being held by him brought me.
“What will you do when you get back?” he asked, running his hands through my hair.
“I don’t know. I’ve got so much on my plate that I don’t know where to start. I guess the first thing is to go see my grandmother’s lawyer to get his help with the paperwork. I need to go to Toronto, too: settle up with my landlord, get my things… I need to talk to my professors, to the publisher, to let them know I won’t be finishing my internship. My God, I’ve still got manuscripts to go through! I should at least correct those and turn them in before I call it quits.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get it all done. You just need to organize yourself a little.”
“It sounds so simple when you say it like that.”
He laughed. “Look on the bright side. You’re not one of those people anymore who lives without living. On autopilot twenty-four hours a day. Chained to the phone, to your email, to your job… Never able to stop and rest or really feel anything. You’re the master of your time now, of your life. That’s amazing.”
“I guess you’re right,” I said, kissing him on the chest.
“I’m always right. Always.”
“Easy now—don’t be so humble. You should think more highly of yourself,” I joked.
“You’re right. Sorry. I forgot to add that I’m also perfect. Just look at this face and this body. I’m a ten out of ten. And smart, to boot.”
“Smart I’ll give you…” I said. “Everything else, too. Always right, handsome, generous, and a little naughty…”
“Naughty?”
“You know it’s true. One of those guys who acts tough and walks through life like he doesn’t give a damn about anything. I know a secret, though. You’re a softy, deep down. You’re sweet as chocolate.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment.”
“It is,” I said, adding, “I like myself a naughty boy.”
