She said nothing. He walked away, shoulders hunched, a man carrying the weight of his mistakes. I watched him go, feeling no sympathy whatsoever.
Kim exhaled slowly. "I need a drink."
"That can be arranged."
We walked along the beach, our fingers still intertwined, the sand warm beneath our feet. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, and an idea began to form.
"Hey." I stopped, turning Kim to face me. "What if we stayed an extra day?"
She blinked. "What?"
"Just us. One more day in Hawaii. Isabelle would be thrilled to watch Zoe—she's been making eyes at that kid since we got here. And Evie and Zoe are practically best friends now." Isqueezed her hands. "Let's stay. Let's have one more day of this before we go back to reality."
"Xavier, I can't just?—"
"You can. You absolutely can." I stepped closer, my voice dropping. "When was the last time you did something just for yourself? When was the last time you took a breath and didn't have to worry about anyone else?"
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Her eyes were searching mine, looking for the catch, the hidden agenda.
She wouldn't find one.
"One more day," I said. "Just you and me. Please."
A long moment passed. Then, slowly, a smile broke across her face.
"Okay."
We found the family gathered for cocktails on the resort's main terrace, the sunset providing a spectacular backdrop. Zoe was there, her face painted to look like a butterfly, regaling Helena with tales of her adventures. Evie sat beside her, looking more relaxed than I'd ever seen her.
"There you are," Grandmother said, her eyes sweeping over us with knowing approval. "We were beginning to wonder if you'd been swept out to sea."
"Just enjoying the amenities." I pulled out a chair for Kim before addressing the group. "Actually, we have a small announcement. Kim and I are going to stay an extra day. If that's alright with everyone."
Isabelle's face lit up. "Of course! Zoe can stay with me. We'll have a girls' night—movies, popcorn, the works."
"Can we do face masks?" Zoe asked, bouncing in her seat. "Evie said face masks make you pretty!"
"You're already pretty," Evie said quietly. Then, blushing at her own boldness, she added, "But yes. Face masks."
"Mommy, can I? Please? It'll be like a sleepover!"
Kim looked at her daughter, then at me, then back at Zoe. Something in her expression shifted—the constant vigilance easing, just a little. The armor she wore relaxing.
"Okay, baby," she said. "If you're sure."
"I'm sure! I'm so sure!" Zoe flung herself at Isabelle, who caught her with a surprised laugh. "This is going to be the best sleepover ever!"
I watched Kim watch her daughter. Watched the love and fear and hope warring on her face. Then I reached under the table and took her hand.
She squeezed back.
Later, after dinner, after Zoe had been tucked in with promises of face masks and movies, after the family had dispersed to their various rooms, Kim and I walked along the beach. The moon was full, casting silver light across the water, and the only sound was the rhythmic rush of waves.
"Thank you," Kim said quietly.
"For what?"
"For today. For all of this." She stopped, turning to face me. "I can't remember the last time I felt this... light. Like I could just exist without waiting for everything to fall apart."
