Page 91 of See You Next Month

“Oh, that feels so good,” Isabella said.

“Let’s walk.” Kelsey took Isabella’s hand as they walked along the shore with the waves lapping at their feet.

“Here we are, holding hands and not hiding our feelings,” Isabella said, bumping her shoulder to Kelsey’s.

“You were hiding your feelings?” Kelsey teased.

“Don’t think I didn’t see you stealing looks at me on our various adventures,” Isabella said.

“Oh, God,” Kelsey groaned. “I couldn’t help it.”

Isabella chuckled. “I was doing the same thing, Kels.”

“But now?”

Isabella dropped Kelsey’s hand and put her arm through hers. “You know my boys come first just as your girls do, but I’m doing what makes me happy from now on. And you make me happy. These trips with you have made me see things differently, important things.”

“They have?”

“Yes. You’ve shown me things, like how you didn’t let other people determine your happiness. You had Dana and Emma on your own when it wasn’t easy.”

Kelsey smiled. “I remember when I told my mom what I wanted to do and she shook her head. We’d had several conversations about it already and she said, ‘I can see you have your heart set on this, so I’ll be here to do whatever you need.’”

“Your daughters are not only beautiful girls, they are good people,” Isabella said.

“Thank you. My mom helped me along with my brother and sister-in-law. We raised our families together.”

“What about your mom now?”

Kelsey chuckled. “She is living her best life with her sister in Florida. I don’t talk about her much because she is so busy doing things in her retirement community I can’t get her to slow down and have a conversation. She does stop to check in with the girls often.”

“You know, island time has us slowing down and seeing things differently, but that started with you and your more laid-back attitude.”

“Bella, you need to stop and see what you’ve done. Just look at what you’ve accomplished,” Kelsey said.

“I know that and I’m proud of what I’ve done so far, but there’s more to life than being successful in your career and raising kids.” Isabella stopped them and turned to Kelsey. “You make me feel such possibilities right here.” She took Kelsey’s hand and put it over her heart.

Kelsey smiled. “Oh, babe. I feel it, too. My heart has never been this open and happy. You have done that to me.”

Isabella leaned up and gently pressed her lips to Kelsey’s. “Let’s go have dinner and put a little more happiness in our hearts.”

They turned around and walked back to the bungalow. As they stepped onto the back deck they found Luis setting up a feast.

“Luis!” Isabella exclaimed. “What are you doing working so late?”

“I’m helping at the restaurant this evening,” he said, pouring two glasses of wine. “It’s a beautiful night for a beautiful dinner.”

“Thank you,” Kelsey said, taking the glass from him.

“Enjoy,” he said.

As Luis left, Isabella turned to Kelsey. “Let’s drink to island magic,” she said, holding up her glass. “I think some kind of magic has been working on us since we stepped off the plane back at Christmas.”

Kelsey clinked her glass to Isabella’s. “I don’t know what’s been working on us, but I don’t want it to stop.”

Isabella chuckled. “It won’t. Our hearts are involved now and it’s up to us.”

“I believe in us,” Kelsey said, sipping from her glass.

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