Page 73 of Meet Me in Tahiti

Jules shook hand with Drew and Nate and Kylenext, then hugged Russ and Malik. “See you next time, boys. Stay out of trouble.”

Tessa sniffled.

“We will,” said Malik with a mischievous grin. “Alright, people,” he went on as he unlocked the van’s back doors. “Load ’em up.”

There was cheer in his voice, but she heard it—that edge of sadness. They’d become a little family, hadn’t they? In just eight days. It was long enough that they’d all miss each other.

They loaded bags and carry-ons with practiced rhythm, then started climbing into the van that had been left for them by the charter company—just as Russ had explained. One last part of the routine.

Tessa climbed in at the back and slid over to the window seat.

Russ climbed in beside her as the other couples found room, not saying a word, just finding her hand with his under the cover of the seatbacks. His palm was warm. Steady. Familiar.

She glanced at him, trying to offer a smile, but couldn’t. He squeezed her hand and inched closer. They’d already exchanged numbers, talked about how she’d return to work on Tuesday, and he’d be going to see his boss. They’d talked about her layover, discussed the weather. There wasn’t much left to say for two people who’d never see each other again.

She bit her lip, gazing out the window, blinking hard and willing herself not to cry. Her fingers curled around his, trying to memorize the shape of his hand.

They didn’t speak during the drive.

She couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said—that once she boarded that plane, that would be it. The. End.

For their own good.

And maybe he was right. Maybe the distance, the realities, the rules they’d already broken were too much.

But she still hated it.

And she still loved him.

The ride passed in snapshots—palm trees whirring by, the quiet murmurs of the others, the way her heart thudded harder the moment the airport sign came into view. She rested her head against his shoulder. No one was watching anyway, and what did it matter now? He leaned in, resting his head on hers.

When the van finally stopped under the shaded drop-off zone, everyone began climbing out, stretching, reaching for bags.

Tessa moved slowly. Because once her feet hit the curb… she knew it would start to feel real.

He pulledher gently to the side, just outside the hum of the group as each piece of luggage was unloaded from the back of the van and found its rightful owner.

“Tessa.”

She turned to face him, her eyes already glassy, her shoulders tanned now, drawn tight like she was trying not to fold in on herself.

He took one of her hands, then the other, laced their fingers together. Gazed into her eyes.

“I want you to know something,” he said. “No matter what happens next, I’ll always care about you. I mean that.”

Her gaze on him stayed steady.

“You’ve changed me,” he went on. “I don’t know what happens next, but I need you to know that you… you mean something to me. Something important.” He paused. “And you always will.”

A few feet away, the group had finished gathering their things and were chatting about the terminal or the tickets or the nearest coffee stand, but someone—probably Marin—must have turned and seen them. The quiet conversation shifted, threads of it suddenly woven with curiosity.

“Wait, are they?—?”

“The captain… and Tess’?”

“What’s going on with them?”

But Russ didn’t turn. He kept his gaze on Tessa. “I’ll never forget you,” he said softly, his heart swelling. This was it. This was the end.

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