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How could I, when now I’m breathing in his scent and feeling the warmth of his body so close to mine? His fingertips trace a familiar path along my neck, resting lightly beneath my ear. I thought I’d never feel this touch again—but now I am.
“I missed you,” he whispers. “A lot.”
“I think that was our first real fight,” I murmur back as I reach up to touch the tip of his nose.
Yep. He’s real.
I circle my arms around his neck, savoring the feel of him.
“Let’s not go three weeks without talking next time it happens,” he says in a croaky, quiet voice that’s only for me.
Around us, birds twitter and sing. To me, it feels like they’re singing for us.
“Just call me up and tell me to get my act together,” he adds. “You can yell if you want to. Nag me ‘til I get it right, ‘kay?”
“I’m not the nagging type.” I wrap my arms around him and tilt my face up to his. “But if you want, I can try.”
He chuckles. “I can’t believe I’m saying this… but, yeah. Whatever it takes. Because I might keep messing up, and I want us always to try to fix whatever happens. I want this to last a long, long time. I love you, Hazel.”
“I love you too, Jack.” It feels so easy and right to say that to him.
His lip hitches at one side, causing an adorable dimple. “Yeah?”
“Yep. One hundred percent.”
“Do I need to give a percentage, too?”
Ah, there’s his playful side.
Salty sea air hugs us close. The mist is hazy and soft.
I can’t think of a witty response because now he lowers his face. The last thing I see before closing my eyes is his hair falling over his brow and the fuzzy beam of light cascading over his nose and cheeks.
When his lips fuse against mine, a warmth like sunshine—only better—fills me to the brim.
Chapter 28
Jack
It’s a quarter mile, all told, from the Hanu Resort saltwater lagoon to the first lapping waves of the ocean.
The resort staff has organized this ceremony beautifully. The guests have been given little print-outs of blessings and song lyrics, floral leis to wear around our necks, and various instruments, including bongo drums, penny whistles, and tambourines.
At least a hundred of us tourists line the paths and stretch of white sand that the turtles will be guided along.
Hazel, at my side, crouches down so she’s close to the sand. That’s how I know the sea turtles are getting closer.
I lean forward to see past the middle-aged guy on my left. And there they are… the two sea turtles.
It’s wild that I can even tell which one is Chester. He’s shuffling along with an authentic look of determination; he wants to get to that ocean water.
I’ve heard he’s five years old. Akoni talked with Hazel and me earlier when everyone was gathering and getting ready for this. He said most other sea turtle pairs the resort has helped raise have been released after four years.
This pair took a little longer to mature.
My brother and Corinne tied the knot when they were young. They knew.
Me? It’s taken me a little longer to find the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.
