8 January
New South Wales, Australia
Where is that knocking coming from? A wall? A door? The first morning light barely peeks between the curtains and someone’s at the door. My flight to Kangaroo Island isn’t until later this morning so it can’t be my ride to the ferry.
I drag myself out of bed to investigate and make the annoying sound stop. My hair resembles a bird’s nest. My brand new dress looks like it’s been rolled up into a ball of discarded tissue paper. I’m glad I can’t see my reflection as I’m sure raccoon eyes made of last night’s makeup would greet me in the mirror.
I peer through the peephole. It’s Bruce. His body and face are oddly shaped through the small round view, but somehow he still manages to look good.
“Please go away,” I say through the door.
He knocks again. “Frannie, are you ok?” I open the door enough to lean against it as he runs a hand through his hair.
“Why are you here?”
“I had to see you. Last night, I stood outside your door, waiting until it felt too strange to linger alone near the bungalows. I came back again later and knocked, but there was no answer. I couldn’t hold out any longer—I was scared I might miss you altogether.”
“I’m not leaving for a few hours.”
“I’m coming with you, Frannie. I’m going to Kangaroo Island. We’ll have brekky with the koalas. Find you a few joeys.”
“What?!”
“Frannie, I want to be with you. I’m going with you.”
“No, no. I texted you and said goodbye. No reason to keep this going.”
“Is that what you want?”
“It’s what’s best,” I say.
“I disagree.” He pulls his hand out of one of his pockets and hands me a small box wrapped in pink ribbon.
“What is this?” What is happening right now?
“Open it.”
I untie the ribbon as I gaze into those gold-flecked eyes I’ve come to love—whether I want to admit it or not. I lift the lid off the box and two dark chocolate koalas sprinkled with sea salt stare up at me.
I laugh and then groan as I take a bite.
“Now there’s the groan I’ve been missing.”
His eyes spark and I’m melting as quickly as the chocolate on my tongue. We’re two feet apart but he steps closer, and I close the door behind him. He cradles my head and lands a kiss on my lips.
“Mmmm…chocolate and the woman I love.”
He slides each of the straps of my dress off my shoulders, dropping it to the ground. Leaving me standing there braless and wearing only last night’s pink thong. Bruce moans and I see him hardening through his shorts. He wants me. And did he say he loves me?
“Those pink knickers, Frannie…”
“Oh, you’re a thong guy?” I tease.
“I’m a Frannie guy.”
I slide my hands across his chest and take off his shirt. He’s still, watching my every move. I unbutton his shorts and undo his zipper. He steps out of his shorts as they hit the floor. I slide a hand on either side of his boxers and push them down over him. He’s ready for me and he’s coming with me. He doesn’t want this to end. And neither do I.