“I thought you’d be here,” calls a rough voice over my left shoulder. I turn to find Darren only inches away, holding an unlit candle. “Hey,” I say with a smile much too large. “I was wondering if I’d see… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“Seriously, should I lose it?” I shrug. “It’s practical. I get it.” He yanks it off and shoves it into the pocket of his shorts. A shake of his head lands everything where it belongs. “Here,” I say, angling my… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“I’m Darren, and this is Nina,” he says to me when she stops next to him. Nina looks me over. “Hi.” Her tone is… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“Pistachio?” Sure, this place doesn’t have as many options as Della Palma, but there are at least twenty, the rest of them all a… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“Just the idea of seeing the ruins of Pompeii in person makes me ache deep inside. Then there’s Darren, no longer off limits. When… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“You try this before?” he asks. I shake my head. I’ve had versions of it back home, but the sight and aroma of this… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“I stare at his relaxed face, pale in the dim light. Nearly asleep, he looks vulnerable. Like I could tell him anything I wanted… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“ Ciao, Bruno! ” someone calls from a boat puttering slowly into the marina. A hard line sets Bruno’s jaw for a split second… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“ Benvenuta a la Via dell’Amore,” he says, poking a bright pink lock with Ashlee + Jake written on it in white paint. “What… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“Do you want me to get your back for you?” Cringe. “No, I’m fine.” “Okay, then could you get mine? I don’t really want… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“There’s nothing else inside the envelope. I turn the photo over and we read the note on the back written in small, careful handwriting.… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“ Goals update: Don’t get arrested Don’t make a fool out of myself in public--FAILED Get my picture taken at the… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“I think I may cool off in the water for a few minutes. Do you want to come?” He stands and brushes the sand… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
“I sit at an empty table after the lunch rush and turn to the last assignment in my journal. This one’s the worst yet.… — Kristin Rae Copy Share Image
