Page 85 of A Coffee Away

Mom’s eyes brightened. “Anything.”

I touched my ring finger. “Where is it?”

Mom bit her lower lip. Her jaw trembled.

I leaned toward her. “Please, Mom.”

She brushed my cheek. “I’m sorry, Robbie. I told him not to, but he said we needed to root him out of your life.”

I tilted my head toward the door, then back at her. “What did he do?”

“He threw it away.” Fresh tears slid down her face.

“He what?” My pulse went crazy, and I had to fight the urge to run after him and beat him up. Fucker.

She touched my arm. “Robbie, please.”

I closed my eyes. “I need some time.” I rubbed the back of my neck, then led her to the door.

“I love you.” She kissed my cheek. “Please let me know how everything goes with Esteban. He’s a good man.”

I gave her a slow smile. “I will.”

Tomorrow I’ll get my life back.

It was Saturday at last.

I pushed away the memory of yesterday’s fight. As painful as it was, a great weight had been lifted from me.

“Robbie?” Gabrielle wiped my table and took my empty mug. “Are you all right?”

Gaby had a gentle soul and a good heart. She was a wonderful friend, and as much as I wanted to hug her and tell her I was back, I couldn’t. Not until I told Esteban. He should be the first to know.

“I am.” I rubbed my neck and cracked it. “I had a tough day.”

She frowned. “I don’t like it.” She punched her palm, pouting. “Tell me who did this to you, and I’ll put him in his place. Was it Esteban?”

I almost laughed, then held up my hands. “Never. He’s been nothing but good to me.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Oh.” She sat beside me. “Tell me everything.”

Esteban made his way to the table and ruffled Gaby’s hair. “Stop harassing Robbie.”

Her eyes almost bulged out of their sockets, and she stood. “Well, I’ll leave you guys to have fun.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Esteban rolled his eyes. Once she headed into the break room, he took a step toward me. The café was empty, so I met him halfway and snaked my arms around his waist.

He hugged me tight, then slid his hands up my sides to frame my face. He kissed me sweetly. “I missed you.” He grabbed my hand. “Now, let’s put a smile on that face.”

After a quick drive, we arrived in Condado.

“Do you like it here?” Esteban asked as we strolled down the beach where we’d met over a year ago and where I’d said yes to a life with him.

I took a deep breath, letting the salty air clear away the city atmosphere that always suffocated me. Here I could let go of all the stress that had built up day by day.

That broken part of my soul was finally mending. The time lost came back minute by minute. I closed my eyes, pushing forward memories of us doing exactly this. Basking under the afternoon sun until the day became night. Watching that last ray of light vanish behind the horizon, knowing that somewhere a new day was beginning while ours ended.

Taking this time in nature made us appreciate life in a way many had forgotten. Each day was a gift to be grateful for, and each moment we had together was a treasure.