That

mered on the water like scattered stars, dancing with each ripple. Spanish moss hung like

fixed on the dark water. She didn't hear Rodrigo walk up behin

ed me," she

et the night

lit half his face, casting the other in soft shadow.

red," he said, stepping cl

ou have to be scared of? You

you see is that name. That leg

heek like a lover's hand. She turned her face, try

owly, gently tucking a

ou," he

hard. "You don'

e learn your mornings, your scars, your favourite s

g. Not loud, not messy. Just

asked to learn

both hands now, his thumb

can't undo the past. But if I spend the rest of my life trying

ey were real. And real had always

Her voice caught. "I'm sti

e hold you

d as he wrapped his arms around her, the tension that had wound her up fo

, tangled in silence, hearts

ust enough to look at

hit deeper th

no

s met hers, it w

in to the pull of the ocean. It was all the things neither of

ehind her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened-not jus

part, breathless, neither

ered, "I don't kn

s forehead against hers. "S

e shadows beyond th

ad eyes e

red the one thing tha