“Let me give you Marko’s number again so we can stay in touch. You’ll remember it, right?”
Hank nods. “I still do. I’ll message you there once I’m to a phone.” He squeezes my hand. “Let me know that you’re doing okay. And promise me that you’ll visit a doctor, even if you don’t go in for observation overnight.”
“Yes, okay. Same for you, let me know how you hold up. You’ll have people to take care of you? Your sister?”
“That’s right,” he says. “And my parents are here.”
I swallow. “I’m going to miss you, Hank.”
On the island, it seemed easy for my feelings to stay there when we left, but I quickly realize I’m just as attached to Hank now that we’re back to civilization. I’m anxious to leave him.
But how will he feel about me? Especially after my major blunder.
He takes the side of my face, holds my gaze. “I’m going to miss you, too, Elliot. We’ll be in touch soon, okay?”
As the boat eases up to a dock, the sensation of his touch grounds me again. It’s tender and brief, not enough to answer any of the questions my heart is suddenly asking. But for a moment, it means everything to me.
Longing whooshes down my body. A Coast Guard agent comes to get us, and only a moment later, we’re brought to separate cars.
Hank watches me load into the back of a waiting sedan, then gets in his SUV. I breathe heavily, overwhelmed with emotions. When I reach into my pocket, I find the pink shell.
I hold it tight in my palm, and the driver takes me home.
