Page 8 of Always Another Sunset

“Not for any reason other than I haven’t been looking,” she said, and pulled on Bella’s hand until they were face to face. “I work a lot, but that’s not really the reason. Mostly I haven’t found anyone I feel special about.” Bella watched her swallow hard before continuing. “No one special like you.” A tingle of excitement ran over Bella at the beautiful words. She hadn’t been special to someone for a long time.Have I ever?she thought.Aside from when I was in college with JC. Was I special to her then?

“I think you’re special too,” Bella said, wishing she could call on her muse to come up with something more eloquent. They were like a couple of teenagers passing notes asking, “Do you like me?” with checkboxes for “yes or no.” Then, a thought occurred to her. JC hadn’t asked if she were single.Does that mean she’s not thinking like I am?she worried.Am I way off base here?

As if reading her thoughts, JC glanced away in her own moment of shyness. “So…” she started. “Since I confessed…”

Feeling a wash of relief, Bella squeezed her hand. “I’m single too,” she confessed. “Here all by myself on this beautiful island trying to figure out what to write.” She laughed, feeling almost giddy as the reality of their situation set in. Both single. Both there. “I only came on this adventure on a whim after too many glasses of wine. And I’m so glad I did.”

9

The woman’s words were magic to JC’s ears.And I think they are to my heart too,she thought, as crazy as that was considering they had only reconnected after fifteen years a couple of hours ago.But the more time I spend with her, I am realizing my love never faded.A part of JC wanted to pull the woman even closer to whisper exactly that into her ear, but she kept it all to herself. The last thing she wanted to do while standing there holding hands with a beautiful view of the ocean was overwhelm Bella. More than once that morning, the writer seemed skittish and shy.And I can’t have her running away from me because I very much want this to go on past today.JC realized what she wanted was the opportunity to show Bella the most beautiful places that Oahu had to offer.She deserves to see how magical life can be again.

“If I promise you something amazing at the end of our hike, can we go a little faster?” JC asked, watching Bella’s expression.

There was a shadow of skepticism, but it quickly faded. “Maybe,” Bella said with a hint of a playful smile that gave JC a glimmer of the woman she once knew. “Is it a secret?”

JC tilted her head and looked at the blue sky to ponder the question. “Sort of,” she said after a beat. “Are you wearing a swimsuit under your clothes?” A light blush came to Bella’s cheeks, and JC hesitated. She hadn’t meant to put the woman on the spot and started to backpedal. “Hey, not that it matters. I mean, I asked because we recommend it in the brochure and—”

Bella laughed. “It’s okay, JC. Yes, I am,” she replied. “But don’t expect to see it. I put it on in a very brave moment this morning, because I spent so much money on it yesterday. And it doesn’t cover as much as I hoped.”

It was JC’s turn to blush as her mind tried to imagine Bella’s body. Even though they spent nearly every waking hour together in college, they were both always modest.Which was probably for the best, or I might have exploded,she thought, forcing a little laugh. “Fair enough,” she said. “The experience is still worth it. Let’s go.”

With that, she led them along the quickest route to the tiny lagoon on the other side of the small island. Usually, the tour would first take them to the summit, and she imagined that was where Blake and the newlyweds were at the moment.Which could give us little privacy, she thought before reminding herself that shouldn’t be important. For all she knew, she was misreading the depth of every signal Bella was sending. Still, JC wanted as many memorable moments as she could get with Bella, so she couldn’t help but hope Blake would hike slowly.

After fifteen minutes, JC stopped. Around the corner was a view of the lagoon fed by a small spring that came up from miles beneath the ocean’s surface as part of the volcanic rock the island sat on. “We’re almost there,” she said, for the first time noticing how winded Bella was, and that there was a light sheen of sweat on her face.

“I’m sorry,” the woman apologized after a deep breath. “I am completely out of shape.”

JC mentally kicked herself for not being more observant. “You should have said something. I would have slowed down.”

Bella held up a hand to stop her apologies. “No,” she said. “It was obvious you wanted to get here quickly.” She looked around, but there was nothing much to see but trees. “Is this it?”

Smiling, JC shook her head. “Not at all. Cover your eyes.” Bella surprised JC by responding without hesitation.Because she trusts me,she realized, touched by the thought.I need to make sure I never do anything to lose that.Taking her by the elbow, JC walked them around the last bend in the trail. Ahead was an exquisite view of turquoise waters that made up the calm pool. “Okay.” JC slid her hand to the middle of Bella’s back to steady her and heard Bella suck in a breath at the contact.Is that from my touch?The idea caused a warmth to spread through JC, and she did not back away. “You can look.”

Slowly Bella lowered her hands, and her mouth opened, but she didn’t say a word for a moment as she stared at what JC knew was a breathtaking sight below. “JC, it’s magical,” Bella finally said, and JC smiled.

“I take it that means you like it?” she asked.

Bella slowly nodded. “I do,” she said. “I honestly think it’s one of the most incredible views I’ve ever seen.”

Standingat the top of the hill, looking down at the lagoon, Bella felt like she was in the middle of one of the romance novels she loved to read. The water looked inviting as it glimmered blue against the golden sandy beach. A few green palm trees swayed at the edge, throwing shade over one corner, and at the base of the black lava rock wall, she could see where the tiniest bit of a waterfall sprang from the rocks.If I didn’t know better, I would think I was dreaming, Bella thought.It’s just so perfect. Glancing over, she found JC watching her.Yes, perfect. There she was in paradise standing beside a woman she had somehow lost track of but was slowly realizing she had never really forgotten.

“Shall we go down?” JC asked. “The water will be warm and perfect for a swim.”

Although not sure about the swimming part, Bella nodded. At the least, she could wade. “Absolutely,” Bella said. “I’ll follow you.”

JC led the way down a short, but steep trail of switchbacks until they were on the narrow strip of beach. As soon as she hit the sand, the woman grabbed the hem of her tank top and stripped down to her bikini top before tossing the shirt onto the rocks. “I think it’s time for a quick dip,” she said as she kicked off her sandals. Bella watched with her mouth open in surprise as she took in the sight of the goddess jogging a few steps before taking a shallow dive into the pristine water.Yep, like right out of a romance novel, Bella thought.Only I don’t think I fit the mold of the leading lady. She was suddenly self-conscious of her body under the oversized T-shirt that she wore. She hadn’t lied when she said she was wearing a swimsuit underneath and that she had spent too much money on it the day before. She also hadn’t lied that the small pieces of bright red fabric didn’t cover as much as she hoped. When JC surfaced, she shook her head to clear the water out of her eyes and looked at Bella. “You should try it.” She was smiling ear to ear. “It’s bathwater warm.”

Bella bit her lip. It looked so inviting.What do I have to lose?she wondered.I’m well past old enough to stop worrying about impressing people. Somehow she knew that JC would never judge her. A few extra pounds around her middle would be nothing in the eyes of her long-lost friend.And let’s be honest, I am hoping she will in some way be more than that when this is all said and done. Taking a deep breath, Bella slipped the baggy shirt over her head and quickly waded into the water. JC’s description of the temperature wasn’t wrong. It was bathwater warm and absolutely exquisite. Once she submerged to her shoulders, Bella let out a little laugh, thrilled with the sense of freedom and adventure. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” she said. “What an incredible day.”

“Are you happy?” she heard JC ask and turned to look at her. A serious expression was on her friend’s face and their eyes held over the calm blue water.

Bella nodded. “More than I can ever express,” she whispered, feeling the chemistry crackling between them. Slowly, JC swam in her direction, closing the distance between them.If this were one of my novels, then she would be about to kiss me, Bella thought, waiting with anticipation to see if it would come true. It had been a long time since she was kissed and never in such a romantic setting. She bit her lip and saw the desire in JC’s eyes.I think she truly wants me. The realization made her catch her breath. Every part of her body was alive, yearning for JC’s embrace.

When they were only a foot apart, Bella’s hopes were dashed when she heard Blake calling to them.

“Hello,” he said. “You must’ve taken the shortcut.”

All the frustration Bella felt at the moment reflected in JC’s face. Filled with a sense of utter disappointment, Bella closed her eyes, knowing there could never possibly be another moment as magical as the one she almost shared with JC.Please don’t let this be the end of everything, she thought before opening her eyes to turn in the direction of the beach. Blake stepped onto the sand with the newlywed couple behind him.

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