I squeezed her hand. “Just thinking about how lucky I am, how grateful I am for this second chance at happiness.”
She leaned into me, her warmth a stark contrast to my chilly skin. “Me too, Gunnar. Me, too.”
Inside, we changed into dry clothes and curled up on the oversized couch in front of the fireplace. As the flames crackled and danced, casting a warm glow over the room, we continued to talk.
“You know, I used to come here to escape,” I said, running my fingers through Zaila’s hair. “From the pressure of the team, the expectations, the...loneliness, I guess.”
She tilted her head to look at me. “And now?”
I smiled. “Now it doesn’t feel like an escape. It feels like coming home, all because you’re here.”
Zaila’s answering smile was soft, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I love you, Gunnar Evaldson. Botched tattoos, impulsive swims, and all.”
I laughed, pulling her closer. “And I love you, Zaila Monroe. With all my heart.”
Chapter 29
Gunnar
As we drifted off to sleep that night, Zaila’s nude form pressed to my side, the sound of the sea a gentle lullaby in the background, I marveled at how much my life had changed. The stark beauty of the High Coast had always been a balm to my soul, but with Zaila here, it felt truly magical.
In the morning, we woke to the sun streaming through the windows, the sea a glittering expanse of blue. Over breakfast on the terrace, we planned our day. She wanted to do a kayaking trip through the archipelago, which I was in favor of as long as a picnic followed on one of the smaller islands.
As we paddled out into the clear waters, the red granite cliffs rising majestically around us, I felt a surge of joy so intense it almost took my breath away. Zaila’s laughter echoed across the water as she raced ahead, her paddle cutting through the sea with surprising skill.
“Come on, old man!” she called, her eyes sparkling with challenge. “Can’t keep up?”
I grinned, digging my paddle in deeper. “Oh, it’s on, Rookie!”
I took Zaila to a hidden cove near another rocky beach, and she marveled at the ever-changing landscape. As we sat on a rocky outcropping, sharing sandwiches and stolen kisses, I realized that this moment, this woman, this life was everything I never knew I needed.
“Thank you,” I said, setting down my water bottle.
Zaila blinked at me. “For what?”
I gestured around us, at the breathtaking scenery, at the space between us. “For coming here with me. For helping me remember how to live, not just exist.”
She reached out, intertwining her fingers with mine. “Thank you for bringing me here. For showing me there’s still beauty in the world, even after...everything.”
That night, as we sat on the dock watching a spectacular sunset, Zaila turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, Gunnar Evaldson, oil and gas tycoon, ever thought about getting that tattoo fixed?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “No. It’s a reminder of a different time in my life. Plus,” I added with a wink, “it’s a great conversation starter.”
Zaila’s grin widened. “Well, in that case, how about we get matching ones?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Matching tattoos? Isn’t that a bit cliché?”
She shrugged, her eyes dancing. “Maybe. But who cares? We’ll make it our own.”
As I looked at her, silhouetted against the painted sky, I felt my heart swell with love and gratitude. “You know what? Let’s do it.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“I do,” I said, enjoying the words, their permanence. I considered their implications but settled for this moment. For now.
Zaila’s delighted laugh rang out across the water, a sound I’d never tire of hearing. We sealed our plan with a kiss, and I was once again speechless. This vibrant, beautiful woman had turned my world upside down in the best possible way.
“How would you feel about letting the team and staff know about our relationship?” I asked. My heart thumped against my chest as I waited for her answer.
