I stare into Tyson’s eyes, too overwhelmed to speak. I nod instead, basking in his concern and the feeling of being understood. As his words sink in, I have a premonition that I will one day think back to this moment. That it is a turning point.
“What about you?” I finally manage to say. “Are you always sure about what you want…before you do things?”
“I try to be.”
“And?” I say, my heart fluttering. “What do you want?”
He takes a deep breath and says, “I want peace…and honesty…and the freedom to be myself. Something I’ve never truly felt before. With anyone.”
“So you didn’t have that with Nicole?”
“No,” Tyson says. “But part of that was my fault. I didn’t really tell her the truth….” His voice trails off.
I hesitate, then say, “The truth about Summer?”
“Yes. Summer. And other things, too.”
“Are you tempted to go back and tell her those things?”
“It has crossed my mind. She’s such a good person. I’ve wondered if things might have turned out differently if I’d been more open.”
“Maybe you should try again,” I force myself to say.
He shakes his head. “No. That’s not what I want to try.”
“Oh,” I say, my heart pounding, surprised by how shy I feel. “What do you want to try?”
“I’m figuring that out,” he says, his eyes locking in on mine. “But once I decide…you’ll be the first to know.”
I can’t tell if it’s from his words or from another cool breeze, but I shiver, getting goosebumps.
“In the meantime, we should probably reach out to Hannah,” Tyson says.
“You’re right.” I nod.
I get my phone out of my bag and fire off a quick text to her. She responds right away, saying she went for a hike and is going to watch the sun set.
I read it aloud, then look back up at Tyson. “So I guess it’s just the two of us,” I say.
He smiles and nods, looking as happy as I feel. “I guess it is,” he says. “Are you getting hungry?”
“Yes. Starving,” I say, realizing that the only thing I’ve had to eat all day is the muffin that Tyson brought me for breakfast. “We forgot to eat lunch.”
“We sure did. Wonder how that happened?” he deadpans.
I shrug and smile. “Should we eat now? Or head back to the hotel?”
“We can do whatever your little heart desires,” he says, smiling back at me.
I laugh, my mind racing. As much as I want to go straight back to the room and make the most of our alone time, I show restraint like I never have before. “How about we order a little something to eat…and maybe one more drink?”
“Sounds great to me,” Tyson says.
—
As dusk descends upon the bay and the sky darkens, Tyson and I eat and drink and talk, staying longer than we planned. The mood is so peaceful and our rhythm so natural. Then, suddenly, he looks past me, bewildered.
“That’s weird,” he mutters, squinting into the darkness.
“What’s weird?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder.
“Isn’t that Archie and Ian?” he asks, pointing. “Over there with those women?”
I turn all the way around in my chair, spotting our Scottish friends with a couple of girls.
I look back at Tyson. “I guess Hannah changed her mind,” I say, feeling a wave of disappointment.
“Yeah. I guess she did.” He nods, looking equally disappointed. “She must be back in the room.”
“Hold on. I’m gonna find out,” I say, getting to my feet and dropping my napkin on my plate.
I turn and stride over to their little group. Ian is holding court, a cigarette in his hand.
“Hello, gentlemen!” I call out in a loud voice.
Archie and Ian both look up at me and smile as the girls step back.
I give Ian a hug, inhaling the scent of weed on his sweater.
