The woman calls to her husband, “Edward, honey, take Mav to get a snack by the gate, would you? I’ll meet you there.”
“Oh, gosh, no,” I say, sitting up straight and wiping my eyes. “I can’t let you be late for your flight on my account.”
“We have plenty of time. Hang on.” She turns to her retreating husband again. “Edward! Get him something healthy to eat this time!”
Since he’s holding the boy’s hand, her husband simply throws up his free one in the air as if to say, “I’ve got this!”
“He’s going to get him another Hawaiian ice,” the woman mumbles. “I swear, our grandson’s got my husband wrapped around his little finger.”
I chuckle through my tears. “But not you?”
“No, me too,” she admits with a grin. “But only to the point where I’d let him haveoneHawaiian ice per day. Nottwo.”
Against all odds, she’s made me smile through my tears.
“Your grandson is adorable. If he were mine, I’d be wrapped around his finger, too.”
“He’s a cutie. That’s for sure.”
On the flight here, I promised myself I wouldn’t tell anyone about Brandon during my stay. In fact, I decided never to speak of him again. But now that this lovely woman has already overheard my situation, I feel the urge to provide some details for context so she doesn’t think I’m a sobbing hot mess for no good reason.
“I’m usually a happy, bubbly person,” I say through a sniffle. “But two days ago, the night before our wedding, I found out my fiancé has been cheating on me for a very long time.”
“Oh no. You poor little thing.”
“That’s why I came on this trip by myself. To try to have fun and heal, rather than sitting at home feeling sorry for myself.”
“Good for you,” the woman says. “As hard as this must be for you, I’m glad you found out the truth before you married that man.”
“Me, too. That’s definitely the silver lining in all this.” I take a deep, steadying breath. “I feel a lot better. Thank you. I can drive safely now.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “If you’re late for your flight because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.”
The woman stands and smooths down her skirt, so I stand, too.
“Enjoy this week to the fullest, my dear,” she says, taking my hand and patting it. “Whatever you want to do, whatever it is, promise me you’ll go for it.”
“I promise. Thank you.”
The woman lets out a sympathetictsk. “Shame on that horribleman for hurting you.” She pats my arm. “Have the time of your life this week and beyond. That’ll be your best revenge.”
“I’ll do my best.”
We share a smile. And then, the kind woman—the guardian angel who was surely sent by my mother in heaven—heads off to reunite with her lucky family to board her flight to who-knows-where.
When she’s gone, I take a deep breath and traipse out a sliding door toward my rental car, even though all I want to do is follow that beautiful soul to wherever she’s going like a wounded, heartbroken little puppy.
Chapter 5
Roman
I’m dripping withsweat as I amble down the winding, plumeria-lined path from the hotel gym toward my bungalow at the farthest corner of the resort. After that workout, I’m ready for a hot shower followed by a double-decker sandwich and another spiced rum punch, all of it enjoyed while gazing out at the ocean from the comfy couch on the deck.
As I reach the front door of my unit, my phone buzzes with an incoming call from Cameron. My stomach seizes. If he’s calling instead of texting, he must have something important to report.
“Good news?” I ask in greeting.
