Page 150 of Sharkbait
Eva reverses out of the driveway way faster than necessary and shouts out the window, “Have fun tonight and call us tomorrow!”
“Yeah, Daddy! Have fun and say hi to—”
“Iris!” Eva scolds before Iris can finish her sentence and peels down the street.
I’m left standing alone in the driveway.
Geez. Welcome home, huh?
It’s like they couldn’t get away fast enough.
I start dragging my suitcases toward the door when something stops me in my tracks.
The faint notes of a familiar song carry on the ocean breeze.
I leave my suitcases right where they are and slowly makemy way to the side of the house, where a rocky path leads to the beach.
I slip off my shoes and walk steadily forward.
The rocks dissipate and the soil turns to sand.
The music gets louder.
The lyrics ofHere Comes the Sunby The Beatles fill my ears.
My heart begins to pound, and I don’t even know why because this can’t mean what I think it—
“What took you so long?” A voice washes over me.
And I think I’ve lost my damn mind.
Because the fiery orange sun is dipping toward the horizon over the water, spilling into reds and pinks and peach, but all I can see in front of me is Louise wearing a yellow sundress and the most brilliant smile I’ve ever seen.
I’m speechless.
And confused.
“I thought it was time I reclaimed The Beatles,” she nods toward the speakers on the soft blanket spread out under her feet.
“How did you—? Why are you—?”
“You make me rethink sunsets,” she says with tears in her eyes.
I run to her as fast as humanly possible and scoop her into my arms.
We kiss like our lives depend on it.
“I love you,” she says between kisses. “I love you so much. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry for a damn thing.” I rain kisses down her throat and back up, then run my fingers through her hair. “Thank you.” I kiss her lips. “Thank you.” I kiss her nose. “Thank you.” I kiss her forehead.
“Thank you,” she says. “For being patient with me.”
“Always. Forever.”
But then I realize I may be getting ahead of myself.
“So what’s going on? Are you visiting? Are you staying? Are you –?”
