Chapter 18 - The Ocean She Had Never Seen
Aleandro remembered something Eva had told him during her first month.
She had lived less than one hundred miles from the Pacific her entire life.
She had never seen it.
So on her twenty-ninth birthday, he woke her before sunrise.
“Get dressed.”
Eva narrowed her eyes.
“That sounds suspicious.”
“Trust me.”
“I do.”
Those two words still had the ability to silence him.
They drove west.
When Eva finally saw the ocean, she made Aleandro stop the truck before they reached the parking lot.
She jumped out.
Barefoot, she ran across cold sand.
Aleandro followed more slowly.
Eva reached the water.
A wave washed over her ankles.
She laughed.
Not the small cautious laugh he remembered from the vineyard.
This was loud.
Unrestrained.
Alive.
Aleandro watched her.
He loved her.
The realization was not sudden.
It had been happening in increments.
Coffee.
Grapevines.
Storms.
Silence.
Fear.
Trust.
Arguments.
Second chances.
Eva turned.
“What?”
Aleandro shook his head.
“Nothing.”
She walked toward him.
“You’re staring.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Aleandro hesitated.
Then decided he was tired of hiding truths.
“Because I love you.”
Eva stopped.
The waves continued behind her.
Aleandro expected fear.
Instead she smiled.
“I know.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“That’s all?”
Eva stepped closer.
“I’ve known for months.”
“You could have told me.”
“I was enjoying watching the terrifying Aleandro Marone panic every time I touched his hand.”
“I did not panic.”
“You absolutely panicked.”
Aleandro pulled her gently closer.
Eva placed her palms against his chest.
He waited.
Always waited.
Eva closed the remaining distance.
Their kiss was soft.
Slow.
Nothing like possession.
Everything like permission.
When they separated, Eva rested her forehead against his.
“I love you too.”
Aleandro closed his eyes.
The ocean moved around them.
For once there was no past demanding attention.
Only the next wave.
And another.
May you like
And another.
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