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“What’s the idea?” She leaned forward, her eyes growing wide with curiosity.
“You really want to know?”
She nodded. “Maybe I can help.”
“All right,” I responded, leaning in, too. I might as well get some help from a female because I didn’t think the guys would prove useful here. “But this stays between us.”
She mimed zipping her lips. “Lay it on me. I want to help anyway I can.”
“All right, so here’s what I’m thinking . . .”
* * *
With Sophie’s help, I was able to get a note to Gemma for her to meet me tonight on the beach at our usual spot. This was it. There was no going back. I knew what I wanted. It had been what I always wanted—a real chance with Gemma.
She was like no other woman I had ever been with.
And I didn’t want to be with anyone else but her.
I was just surprised it took me all this time to fight for her. I always regretted letting her walk out on me all those years ago, and I knew I’d regret it if I let history repeat itself.
And this time, I had backup—Mason. After all, Gemma wasn’t just going to be part of my life, but she’d be part of Mason’s, too. “Dad,” Mason said, yanking on my hand I held his. “I don’t see her.”
I exhaled and looked toward the resort. “I don’t either, buddy.”
I wasn’t sure if she’d come and that was the scary part, but life wasn’t worth living if you didn’t take any risks. I told her that many times before and I meant it. Taking risks always got me some of the best rewards. That was how I was here with Mason, who was by far one of the greatest parts of my life. He made my life better, and I couldn’t imagine not having him in it. Sure, I didn’t always make the best choices, but they all led me right here, so I was grateful for all of them.
“Let’s just give her another minute.” I was talking to Mason, but also telling myself. Because, the truth was, the more I stood here, waiting for her, the more I realized she may never show up.
After a few more minutes, I checked my watch and sighed. “You’re right, Mason,” I finally agreed. “It looks like she’s not coming.”
“Are we leaving?” Mason asked.
I looked down and nodded at him. “Yeah, we’re leaving.”
I started walking with Mason back to the resort just as he tugged on me and exclaimed, “My hat, Dad. It fell out of my pocket.”
I looked behind us, but didn’t see it. It must have fallen farther back where we were standing. “All right, buddy,” I said, and let go of his hand, patting him on the back. “You go ahead and find it. I’ll catch up.”
I watched as he ran back to where we were earlier. As I did, I noticed a woman walking toward him, holding his hat in her hand. It was Gemma, and she was wearing another sundress, this time it was strapless. I didn’t say anything, just blinked to really make sure she was there and it wasn’t just my eyes playing tricks on me.
It was really her.
Gemma showed up.
“You came,” I shouted, as I closed the gap between us.
She smiled and leaned down to Mason, handing him the hat. “I believe this belongs to you.”
“Thanks,” he said, smiling at her before standing at my side. “See, Dad, she did come,” he whispered, pulling on my arm.
I chuckled and ruffled his hair. “I could see that, buddy. Good thing you left your hat behind.” Then I turned to Gemma and confessed, “I didn’t think you’d come.”
“Don’t tell me you were bolting?”
I laughed, remembering when I asked her a similar question when I caught her outside my door.
I smirked. “Of course not,” I lied, repeating her words.
