16. Xavier #2
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
"We should probably head back," Kim said, though she made no move to pull away. "Zoe will be wondering where we are."
"Five more minutes."
"You said that an hour ago."
"And I'll say it again in another hour." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Let me have this. Let me have you, just for a little longer."
She softened against me. "Okay."
The catamaran carried us back toward shore as the afternoon sun began its slow descent. We stood at the railing, Kim tucked against my side, watching the resort grow larger on the horizon.
That was when I spotted him.
Cole Matthews was walking along the beach. Alone. His white linen shirt was wrinkled, his posture defeated. He looked like a man performing regret for an audience of one.
Kim stiffened beside me.
Cole looked up, spotting us on the boat. He raised a hand in an awkward wave, then made his way toward the dock where we'd be arriving.
"We don't have to talk to him," I said quietly.
"I know."
But when the catamaran docked, and we disembarked, Cole was waiting.
"Kim." His voice was careful. Cautious. "I know you don't want to see me. I'm leaving soon. Heading back to New York on the evening flight."
Kim said nothing. Her hand tightened around mine.
"I just wanted to say..." Cole swallowed hard.
"I hope you'll consider meeting with me.
When you're back in the city. I know I don't deserve it, but I'd like the chance to explain.
To apologize properly." His eyes were pleading.
Too pleading, maybe. Like he'd practiced this in the mirror.
"It would make me very happy if you'd at least think about it. "
The silence stretched between them. I watched Kim's face, saw the war playing out behind her eyes—anger and hurt and something that might have been grief for the person she'd once believed he was.
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." I squeezed 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."
I cupped her face in my hands. "Get used to it."
"Xavier—"
"I mean it. I want to give you the world." I leaned in, brushing my nose against hers. "And I'm going to keep showing up until you believe it."
She kissed me then. Soft and sweet, her hands resting on my chest, her body swaying into mine like gravity itself was pulling us together.
When we broke apart, I was smiling so hard my face hurt.
I was happy. So, so happy.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid of it.