Page 12 of Always Another Sunset

With a slight smile on her lips, Bella nodded. “I only write happy endings, JC,” she said. “Now go do what you need to do. I want to write down these words before they slip away.”

Not needing to be told twice, JC did precisely that, and when she made it back to the office, Bella was busily writing. Being as quiet as possible, JC slipped inside deciding to pour herself a cup of coffee and wait. Not as stealthy as she thought she was, Bella looked up from the notepad and smiled. “I hear you,” she said. “But thank you. You always were super respectful when I was in the rhythm of writing.”

“I want to make sure you don’t forget an idea or something,” JC replied. “With zero creative skills myself, I consider the whole thing magic anyway.”

Setting her pen on the notepad, Bella turned her full attention to JC, and although her face was soft, she was serious too. “JC, I think you might be my muse,” she said. “All through college, I could write and write. A hundred ideas were in my head all the time.”

Nothing Bella could have said would have made JC feel more special. There were a lot of times in college when JC brought Bella food because her friend was in the middle of a writing fest. Supporting Bella and her craft meant so much to her then.

And now,JC thought.I feel exactly the same.“Well, as your muse, I say keep going with your flow, and I’ll go grab us lunch. There’s a great teriyaki truck two blocks over, and the two-scoop rice lunch special is fabulous.”

She watched as Bella bit her lip until finally shaking her head. “No,” she said. “I have what I need to get started.” Tearing off the sheets she used from the pad, Bella slipped from the stool. “But teriyaki sounds delicious. I didn’t realize it, but I’m starving.”

Her statement made sense to JC considering everything physical they had done already. “Are you thinking rowing for your life made you hungry?” she said with a laugh, but when Bella’s eyes widened, she stopped. “What?”

“It wasn’t really that close, was it?” Bella whispered, making JC regret her joke. She should have known better. Her friend had been honestly terrified out on the water.

Going on instinct, JC moved the few steps between them and put her hands gently on the woman’s shoulders. “No,” she said. “Never. I shouldn’t have made a joke.” Her voice softened. “I said I would never let anything happen to you, and I meant it.” JC watched Bella search her face for the second time that day, and again she wondered what happened to her to make her so wary.She needs to learn to trust me like she did once,JC thought, vowing to be more patient than ever in her life.

Standing there, like so many times before, the desire to kiss Bella was strong. After another moment, their eyes met, and JC explored the depths of Bella’s gaze trying to unravel the mystery of what she thought. Before JC said anything else, Bella stepped closer, slipped her arms tightly around JC’s waist, and put her head on her shoulder. “Thank you for coming back into my life,” Bella said in nothing more than a whisper. “I missed you.” Hugging her tighter, JC felt exactly the same.

13

Being less than impressive after all the hype, the storm blew past the island without much rain, but the next three days were no less of a whirlwind for Bella. While JC took more tourists out on kayak adventures, Bella went back to writing in her condo. Slowly at first and then it became an avalanche as the words flowed out of her fingertips and onto the page, filling the screen of her laptop. She hadn’t been so inspired to write since her days in college, and she knew it was all because of her reunion with JC.

The last three evenings had been extremely special. Once JC’s workday was over, they would meet for dinner at some fantastic restaurant only the Oahu locals knew about and afterward go for long walks on different beaches. Nothing could be more romantic than the sunset over the Pacific, especially after the first night when JC got up the courage to take Bella’s hand. An unspoken bond grew between them, accelerated perhaps because of their history. All the time they spent together in school was the perfect foundation. As if those days of longing counted toward what they were doing now. Although she was afraid to analyze it too closely, Bella couldn’t think of a time she had been happier.

After wrapping up another great day of writing, she sat at her desk looking at the clock and counting down the minutes until she could see JC again. While she impatiently waited, she opened her email and scrolled down the dozens of messages. Some from fans, which she responded to with a short but heartfelt thank you, a lot were junk mail on gimmicky ways to best market her books, but one was from her editor. Skimming it, the message was clear—when might her next book be ready, and how long did she plan to stay in Hawaii?That’s an excellent question, Bella thought as she stared at the screen.How long am I staying in Hawaii?Her ticket home was open-ended, yet in her mind, she had always thought a month to six weeks might be enough to kickstart her writing. That time was coming to an end, but she saw no reason to go back just yet. Her sister was looking after Bella’s little house in Portland, Oregon. She didn’t even have a pet to worry about.I definitely want to stay a little longer.

Knowing her editor and friend, Joanie, deserved an answer with more than she could explain in an email, Bella picked up her phone to call her. Joanie answered on the first ring. “Tell me you have a wonderful tan,” the woman said without even a hello. “I’m so jealous you’re in Hawaii.”

“Not too much of a tan actually,” Bella said. “But I am having the time of my life.”

“Really?” Joanie asked, clearly unable to hide the surprise in her tone.

Bella laughed, and it felt good to be so happy. “Really,” Bella said. “So much so, I don’t know when I’ll be back to the mainland.”

There was a pause as her editor seemed to take in the information. “So, you’ve fallen in love with Hawaii?”

A warmth radiated through Bella’s body. “Well, I don’t want to jinx it, but I think I may be falling in love,” she said with a smile on her face. “But not necessarily with Hawaii.”

“What are you saying?” her editor asked, the hint of a squeal in her tone making Bella think of girls in high school talking about a new crush. “Are you telling me what I think you are telling me?”

“I think so,” Bella confessed. “I met someone. A wonderful woman who I went to college with. It’s crazy, but we reconnected in a way I never imagined.”

“That is music to my ears! I’m so happy for you,” Joanie said, then hesitated before dropping into a more serious tone. “How is that impacting your writing?”

Bella shook her head at her editor’s never ending focus on business, but the smile was still on her face. “It’s all about the writing with you. But this old friend… she’s been my muse. In fact, she has been since college. And I think you will love this new book.”

“Oh Bella, that makes me so happy,” the editor said. “I can’t wait to read it. So, you’re staying for now to keep things going with your old flame?”

Bella paused because that was a good question. “I’m simply not sure what my plan is,” Bella said. “But I want to explore what’s growing between us a little more, and I’m not in a rush.”

“Well, as long as she’s inspiring you to write, then take all the time you need,” Joanie said with a laugh. “You deserve to be happy, Bella.”

Do I?she wondered as the old whisper of doubt arose in her mind.Damnit, I do.“I’ll keep you posted,” she said. “But for right now, I am going to keep things very simple.”And focus on falling in love.

Hummingthe words to a classic love song playing on the radio, JC filed the day’s liability release forms into the cabinet at the office. The day was a good one. Both the morning group and the afternoon one were filled with enthusiastic, experienced kayakers. With perfect weather, the trip across to the Moku island and back was so easy to be almost boring. Everyone enjoyed the lagoon, including JC. She had taken a quick swim to the waterfall, wondering if Bella would ever see the beautiful sight up close.Probably not, she thought with a bit of laugh.I might get her to hike to a few beautiful places, but her kayaking days are probably over.JC didn’t mind. She believed opposites attract, and her outdoorsy side complimented Bella’s preference for the indoors or a simple day by the pool.Or a walk on the beach.They shared one every night, and it was the highlight of JC’s whole day.

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