Page 36 of Love By The Falls

“So, it fulfills you?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t long for anything else?”

I tilt my head. “Well, I didn’t say that.”

We both laugh. Caleb takes my hand. “What do you long for, Charlotte?”

I blow out a breath and inhale and exhale slowly. “Wow, that’s a tough question.”

“I know. That’s why I’m glad I asked you and not the other way around.”

“I long for love. Unconditional love.”

He leans back, shocked. “Love?”

I laugh at his reaction. “Why do you look so surprised?”

He shakes his head. “I guess I wasn’t expecting that.”

“What were you expecting?”

“I don’t know. I guess some long-term goals or affirmations.”

I shrug. “I have those, too, but I don’t long for them. If I’m being honest with myself, that’s what I truly want. Don’t get me wrong, I know Charlie loves me, but it’s not the same.” I smile while staring at a wave crashingonto the shore. “I should be jaded after what happened to me, right? I think that, too. But I have this friend named Jane and I absolutely love her marriage with Austin.”

“You have a friend named Jane who married a man named Austin? Are you serious?”

I chuckle, having forgotten how funny that coincidence is after we all laughed about it initially.

“Trust me, it just adds to their disgusting cuteness. But I want that. I want that kind of big love, you know. The kind that sweeps you off your feet and never lets you fall back down. The kind that takes your breath away yet gives you permission to live as you are.”

“I would never have imagined you a romantic.”

“I guess I am.”

“I hope that sort of love finds you one day, Charlotte. You deserve it.”

“Thank you.” I grasp his hand. “What about you? Do you think you’ll ever marry?”

“Me? No, I don’t think so. I never imagined it for myself. I’m married to my work.”

I nod, remembering he said that the first night. Although these days have been pure bliss, he’s not forgotten his work. I’ve awoken from a nap to find him on his laptop nearly every day.

“Well, if it isn’t marriage, what do you long for, Caleb?”

He rubs his mouth as he stares at me. His brown eyes and lashes soften and nearly close as he thinks about my question.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ve never stopped long enough to think about it. I’ve only set goals for myself and then move the target when I reach them.”

“Maybe one day you’ll be happy to be exactly where you are.”

He turns away and rubs his mouth again. “Maybe,” he says, but he seems unconvinced about it.

*

A rustling sound awakens me. It’s the lightest sound, but I was barely asleep. “Caleb?” I ask into the darkness, blinking as the room slowly comes into focus.

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