Page 58 of Something Old

Daniel grabs my arm and pulls me to the dance floor. I follow him, already thinking of excuses to leave.

I don’t really want to dance, but I notice the rest of my friends from the dive this morning are dancing, so I follow him and make sure to stand with everyone - not just him.

I should allow myself time to relax and make the most of this holiday. This experience is about me finding myself and healing my heart. That’s what I came here for and that is all that matters.

All of us are chatting and enjoying the music and Daniel is being flirty, but not overly annoying about it. I just play it cool and polite with him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Masaccio

“So, go fucking get her.”

I shake my head.

“I can’t. I have destroyed all my chances with her. She won’t take me back.”

My sister throws me a death glare. “Don’t be stupid.” She snaps at me, sliding off the kitchen counter. “That girl really liked you a lot Masaccio. Whatever you did to make her leave - you can still fix it by just going after her.”

“Not if she is there with someone else.” I snarl back at her. Getting angry because she won’t drop this subject, and I don’t want to talk about it because it’s upsetting me too much.

“What in the world makes you think she is there with someone else?”

“Why else would she go to Hawaii?”

“Um - because it’s where you had your honeymoon. Jeez Mas, all you need to do is try. There is nothing that can go wrong if you just try. If youdon’t try,youwilllose her though.”

I blink at my sister. The truth of her words has shocked me into silence. If I do nothing - then I really one hundred percent have lost Leora, and I will never be able to forgive myself. She’s right. She’s so fucking right.

“I have to go to Hawaii.” I say, a whisper.

“Yes, you do.”

“Call the pilot. Book a flight for as soon as possible. I need to grab a bag.” I bolt upstairs while Dalila sorts out my flight for me, getting the pilot to meet me at the runway near my private jet.

I grab my car keys and rush towards the front door. Pausing, just for a second, to give my sister a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks, Lila. I - justthanks.”

She grins and pushes me away. “Hurry up. Go get your girl back.” She laughs, then watches me bolt out the door.

I arrive at the airport feeling anxious. All this time I’ve wasted sulking at home. All this time I could have already been there with her. Well, there is no point in stressing about the things I can’t change at this point. What I need to focus on is what I can change - and how I am going to win her back.

I’ve showered her in gifts, I’ve given her material things - but the one thing I haven’t done is told her how I feel. I guess I didn’t understand or know I how felt until she was already gone. But I owe her that.

I have to do this right because I think I only have one more chance - if I even have that.

On the flight I do my best to get some sleep. I am going to arrive in Hawaii after sunset.

I know which villa she booked into because I saw the statements on the credit card. I know where to go. Everything is going to be fine.

The lady at reception points me towards the beach.

“Leora is over there, at the beach bar where the music is.” She smiles. “Oh, so you know her?” I ask, surprised she didn’t even have to look up the room number or anything.

“Everyone knows her - and everyone loves her. She’s amazing.” She replies as though I should already know this.

I do.

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