Page 33 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

She nodded. “Yet here we are. Both of us are strong despite it.”

“And it appears we both took our pain and let it motivate us in a direction that allowed us to be there for others. Both working with children, being there when others are not,” I stated, seeing yet another similarity with us. And something that drew me to her even more. It wasn’t just physical beauty that she held, but her inner one is what captured my heart.

Until Raya, I’d never met anyone I couldn’t picture my life without. Somehow, even in such a short time, she’d become so damn important to me.

“You’re right. I...I feel better after telling you. It’s like I don’t have to carry the burden of a secret any longer,” she said.

“And you don’t have to worry. I will not tell anyone.”

She smiled. “And your secret is safe with me too.”

I knew that. If I hadn’t, I’d never have opened up to her. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re easy to talk to?”

“My friend Kathy says I’m a good listener. But there is a lot she tells me that I wish I didn’t know.”

I laughed. “That sounds just like my brother.”

Her eyes widened and she said, “That’s exactly what I thought on the way home. It’s a good thing that you and I are good listeners because we don’t get a chance to do much talking with them.”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot about your ride to the resort last night. Sorry about that. I meant to drive you myself,’ I tried apologizing, but knew it was too late.

“I was kind of glad that you didn’t. I mean, I wanted to spend time with you, but we would’ve been rushed. The media would’ve been hunting you down with more questions, and that is where you needed to be. Not with me,” she said.

“I just want you to know that given the choice, I would’ve picked with you.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Not sure that is a compliment.”

“Why?” I asked, puzzled.

“It was me or the annoying media? That’s right up there with saying that it was me or hitting your thumb with a hammer,” she chuckled.

I grinned. “Okay. How about this? It was you or a day on the beach with my favorite book on a beautiful day?”

“Add an iced coffee and you got it,” she said.

“Iced coffee? What is that?” I asked. Coffee was something you drank strong and hot.

“Oh, it’s something that I am missing so much. On hot days, one sip of a flavored ice coffee just picks you up. Maybe I can make you one sometime,” she said.

“Cold coffee? I don’t see the point,” I admitted.

“You will. Trust me. I’ll have you hooked. And you’ll be begging me to make them for you every day.”

If it meant seeing her each day, I’d drink it even if it was the worst thing in the world. “Not sure what ingredients you need to make it, but what do you say we go into the house, I show you around and then you can prepare the iced coffee for us?”

“Coffee. Cream. Sugar. Ice.”

“Those I have. Now, are you ready to see if this place will work for you and Joey?” She nodded and I said, “Good, because getting your son here is my number one priority.” Because it is yours.

She leaned over, kissed me briefly, and said, “Thank you.”

I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her properly. Instead, I just smiled and got out of the car. I had meant what I had said. I couldn’t allow my need for her to overshadow what was important. Joey.

Once inside, I showed her from one room to another. She didn’t say much, and I couldn’t tell if she liked it or not. When we stopped back in the kitchen I had to know.

“Tell me the truth. Don’t hold back. Do you think Joey will be happy here?” I asked.

“Your home is well decorated for a man, but besides that, it is really lovely. I never thought you would have so much space being a single person. May I ask you something?”

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