Page 27 of Meet Me in Tahiti

He glanced up as Tessa waved him over, standing near the base of the sprawling banyan tree, her thick, dark hair falling over her shoulders, her face bright with excitement.

He rose, heart doing a little skip as he crossed the sand toward her. Why did he suddenly feel as though he was fifteen and heading from the car to the doorstep, picking up a girl on their first date? He chuckled and shook off the not-unpleasant feeling as he joined her.

“Look at this thing, Russ,” she said with awe, pointing up at the structure housed among the branches. “Have you been up there?”

“A few times,” he admitted.

“Will you come see it with me?” she urged.

“Sure.” He laughed under his breath but followed her, watching as she climbed the wooden ladder with an easy grace, her long, slender legs in white shortshorts and a pair of black flip-flops sending another pang through his gut.

She paused halfway up.

“Hey, will you take my picture?” she called. “I have to show this to my parents and my sister. My dad built us an awesome treehouse in our backyard in Ohio when we were little. He won’t believe this one until he sees it.”

He was charmed by the comment. He pulled out his phone, framed her on the ladder, and snapped the shot. “Got it. I’ll send it to you.” He’d have to ask her for her number. But that, too, made him smile.

She nodded eagerly, then disappeared inside, and he climbed up after her.

The treehouse was simple—a single room without walls. Just multiple thick branches that jutted out through the floor in many directions, encasing it like a leafy room while letting in golden light and the ocean breeze. The wood creaked gently under their steps, but it felt sturdy and safe.

Tessa strolled from one side to the other, peeking out like a kid in a candy store. Russ leaned against the sturdy trunk that spilled through the floor and continued over their heads, watching her with a quiet smile.

This woman took nothing for granted. Watching her reminded him what it felt like to be excited about life again. To see the vivid colors that were right in front of him. To see something for the first time. To forget about an ugly past and start fresh. A bright smile filled his face.

She moved beside him to look through two leafy branches at the lagoon, her shoulder brushing his arm.

He didn’t move away.

The touch was light, accidental, but it made every nerve in his body sit up and pay attention.

She leaned in closer, marveling at the little beach outside, the coconut palms waving in the breeze, her shoulder now against his chest, her head almost touching his shoulder. And still, he didn’t pull away.

She felt like she belonged there. Like he could turn her to face him, pull her in close, wrap his arms around her, and they’d fit. Perfectly. Together.

But he didn’t dare.

When she straightened, a strand of hair had blown across her face. Without thinking, Russ reached out and gently brushed it back, fingers skimming her temple.

Their eyes met his at the touch. She inhaled.

She reached for his forearm, squeezing lightly as she said something excitedly about the beautiful view. He barely registered the words, lost instead in the feel of her hand on his skin.

Her touch lingered, and he didn’t pull his arm away.

In response, his hand found her back—a light, guiding touch, nothing inappropriate, but achingly natural. He didn’t want to let go. He wanted to hold on to that… contact.

“Come on,” he said, guiding her back toward the ladder.

“You first,” she said, smiling sweetly.

He climbed down carefully, feeling her presencebehind him. When he reached the bottom, he turned and offered his hand.

She hopped down the last few rungs and landed softly, her hand catching his.

She didn’t let go right away.

Neither did he.

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