Page 75 of Since the Day We Kissed

The sound of approaching footsteps snapped her back to the present. An officer stood before them, notepad in hand. “Ms. Walker, we’re just about finished here. I wanted to thank you both for your cooperation.”

Kara nodded. “Of course. Is there anything else you need from us?”

The officer shook his head. “No, that should do it. You folks dodged a bullet tonight—literally and figuratively. If Mr. Bennett hadn’t grabbed the gun when he did ...” He trailed off, then continued. “The suspect we apprehended is wanted for a string of robberies down in Florida. Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky as you were tonight.”

Charlotte clenched her mom’s hand. “You mean—?”

“I’m afraid so,” the officer confirmed. “But thanks to Mr. Bennett’s quick thinking, everyone here is safe and we’ll be taking the suspect into custody now.”

They watched as two officers escorted the handcuffed robber to a waiting police car.

“Are you all right?” Kara asked, tightening her hold around Charlotte.

Charlotte gently pulled away. “A little shaken up, but I’ll be okay. You?”

Kara managed a small smile. “I think so.”

“Where’s Ethan and Grandpa?” Charlotte asked, scanning the crowd.

Kara squeezed her shoulder. “Maybe inside? Wanna check?”

Charlotte nodded, standing up and letting the blanket fall away. “Let’s go.”

Hero trotted alongside them back into the pharmacy. A few officers nodded as they passed, their footsteps fading into the background. Near the counter, Ethan crouched low, silently gathering the items that had fallen during the scuffle.

Whitaker stopped him.

Kara held her breath as she watched the unexpected interaction unfold.

“You’ve done enough this evening.” Whitaker placed a hand on Ethan’s shoulder, his voice unusually soft. “Don’t worry about that.”

Kara’s jaw went slack—her dad showing Ethan kindness?

The moment barely had time to settle before Charlotte rushed forward, flinging herself into Ethan’s arms. He held her close, his grip tightening as his shoulders trembled, tears streaming down his face.

Watching them together, the lump in Kara’s throat grew. In this single moment, it felt like all the pieces were falling back into place—father, daughter, and perhaps, if she could find it in herself to believe, a family.

“We have some catching up to do,” Ethan said, looking down at Charlotte with a tender smile. His words carried a promise, one Kara had long hoped for but never dared to imagine could be real.

Charlotte smiled through her tears, wiping them away with the back of her hand. “I’d love nothing more.”

As Ethan released Charlotte, he turned and stepped toward Kara, his eyes still misted. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. The warmth of his embrace comforted her in a way she hadn’t felt in years—a reminder of what they had almost lost and what was still within reach.

His voice was soft as he spoke, taking in the surrounding space. “You realize where we are?” He paused, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. “This is the exact spot where we had our first kiss. The one we had when we were closing up all those years ago. Remember?”

Kara lifted her eyes to Ethan, the memory of his lips brushing hers rushing back—the reckless abandon of youth, the certainty they had all the time in the world. Now, standing here again, the years between them seemed both a lifetime apart and a single breath. “I remember,” she whispered.

Ethan’s hand gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing across her cheek. “I thought I was gonna lose you all over again today. Losing you a second time ... I don’t think I’d survive it.” His voice wavered. “Kara, twenty-two years apart couldn’t erase what we had. Not a single day has gone by where I didn’t miss you. And I love you. I’ve always loved you. And always will.” His words slowed, as though speaking each one took a toll. “I meant it when I said forever, Kara. You gotta believe me.”

His words hung in the air, filling the space between them like a lifeline.

Kara felt the years of pain and distance beginning to fade away. Her breath caught, and she curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt as she realized just how much she had missed hearing those words.

But the past clawed at her, refusing to let her fully stay in this moment. The hurt he’d left behind when he disappeared. The nights she lay awake wondering what had gone wrong.

“Ethan, I ... I want to believe you. More than you know. But ...” Kara’s voice faltered as she stepped back.

How many times had she dreamed of this moment—of Ethan’s return, of him holding her—but every dream came with the same unanswered question, the one that haunted her for two decades. Her chest constricted as she searched his eyes, torn between fear and the need for answers. Kara swallowed hard. “Why? Why didn’t you call me the night after the beach?”

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