When we got back to the hotel, we were about to tell the guys good night when AJ insisted on taking Brooke for a late-night walk on the beach. I hugged Nick, but he didn’t let go. He whipsered in my ear, “Come with me.”
I can’t tell you what happened with Brooke and AJ because I wasn’t there.
So I’ll let her tell you for herself.
**********
AJ led me by the hand through the gazebo and down to the beach. Our hands intertwined, we walked quietly upon the soft white sand as the midnight waves lapped the shore.
“AJ, you know Kat and I have to leave tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“But I don’t want this to end.”
“Neither do I,” he said, turning to look at me, his face as solemn as I’d ever seen it.
“I think you and I both know that there’s no way we can see each other again. I mean, you guys live here in Orlando, and we live in Indiana.
“I’ve really enjoyed spending this day with you,” he said. “I only wish we’d met earlier. I’m really gonna miss you,” he said. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and pulled me ever so close to him. “You are very special to me,” he said. He lifted his hat from his head and leaned in to kiss my lips. I hesitated at first because I knew this would make things harder on the both of us, but I returned his kiss. Then he looked down, his cowboy hat the only thing facing me. A tear rolled down my cheek.
When he looked up, I sobbed. Tears began to stream down AJ’s face. He embraced me once again, this time with merely a hug.
**********
Meanwhile, Nick had brought me onto the beach for a midnight stroll as well.
I took off my shoes and sat in the sand, watching the waves crash one by one. Nick also slipped off his shoes and sat down beside me, once again wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
I noticed that he wasn’t watching the ocean but was staring at me. “You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
“Thank you. I just wish we didn’t have to leave tomorrow.”
“I know,” he said, turning away and lowering his head.
“At least I got to spend one day with you, and it was the best day of my life.” I turned to him and smiled, just in time for him to look up and back at me. I rested my head on his shoulder, gazing up into his blue eyes. He leaned over and kissed me.
When I sat up, I watched as a single tear rolled down his cheek. I felt my own eyes beginning to burn with sadness.
