Page 49 of Learning to Love

"Judging by the smell, it's going to be divine. How was your day?" I look at him closely to see if I can glean any behavior change.

He lets me go and turns away. "It was good. Lots of things ticked off the list. What about yours?"

Has he always been this evasive? It must be a new thing. Maybe I'm right that something's changed. Another woman perhaps? I give myself a mental shake and try firmly not to go down that route.

I change tack. "Have you heard from Corey at all in the past few weeks?"

He turns in surprise. "Strange you should mention it, but I spoke with him this morning. He's docking in Hong Kong, nearly halfway on the race."

"Is he well? Turns out Tayla heard from him as well. She didn't want to say anything, and I was just being nosy as usual."

Sam laughs and stirs some more white wine into the risotto. "He's well. Something happened though. On one of the boats. The race has been cut short, and he's due back the second of September. Interesting about Tayla, though."

I shrug my shoulders then turn on the TV to check out the news, still pondering Sam's change in attitude.

* * *

I slept very badlylast night, tossed and turned, and disturbed Sam a lot. He held me close for part of the night, but I pushed him away. Either too hot or too cold, or just simply worrying about what's brought these feelings on. By sunrise, I'm resolute that I need to confront him, to put this idea to rest, or at least give him a chance to come clean if something's truly up.

I put a hoodie over my short pajamas, put some flip flops on, and prepare to take Daisy for an early walk on the beach.

I thought Sam was still asleep, but he springs out of bed, and puts on a t-shirt, shorts and hoodie. He’s headed my direction, but I’m out the gate and on the beach, Daisy sprinting off, before he can reach me.

Sam trots after me. "Wait up! I'm coming with you." He's unshaven and looks a bit rough around the edges. His auburn hair is aglow as the sun rises above the sea.

"Only you could look this good at sunrise, Sam. I haven't had coffee and I feel zombified." We laugh. "What's your secret?"

He stops dead in his tracks, and I stop as well. Oh no. Is this where he tells me …

"Ah, Ellie, I … want to ask you something." Sam kneels on the beach and takes a ring out of his pocket. I think I'm going to faint.

"Uh … will you marry me?"

I cover my mouth so I don't scream.

He rubs the back of his head, his face a mix of concern and anxiety. "If it's too soon … I can wait."

"No, no, no, don't wait. Absolutely not. YES. Of course, as if there would be any other answer in this whole world."

He stands, and I throw myself at him. We kiss under the blazing sunrise with Daisy circling us in a happy dance.

I try the ring on, and it fits perfectly. It's a gorgeous antique, just like the bracelet he got me for Christmas. He seems to have his sources, and they're very good. I file away a mental note to find out who this mysterious jeweler is.

We walk back towards the house, and I can't wait to let my parents know, and the girls, but a thought is nagging me. "Is this why you were being so secretive lately? I thought you'd found someone else."

His laughter silences my doubts. "As if I'd ever want anyone else."

Epilogue

Sam

"Imust say, if anyone had told me this time last year that I'd be Best Man at your wedding, I would have told them to lay off the booze."

Everybody laughs at Corey's remarks, particularly my side of friends and family. He's dressed to the nines in navy suit trousers, white shirt, and beige waistcoat, with his sleeves rolled up.

"Ellie, now put your hand on the table please." Corey gestures to us. "Now, Sam, put your hand over hers." Ellie has small, delicate hands. Mine are big, full of calluses and generally unappealing. Where's Corey going with this?

"Enjoy this moment,” he says, “because this will be the last time you have the upper hand, my friend."

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