Page 185 of Ewan

I’ll miss the warm weather we left behind, along with so many other things. The time we spent together. The memories we created.

After gifting me that bracelet, I saw Ewan in a different light.

He did all the right things to make a great impression on me, which got me thinking.

Not in a bad ‘I’m suspicious of him’ kind of way.

It was more like looking at him with different eyes.

And it wasn’t only the bracelet.

It was how he talked to me and paid attention to my needs, wanting to make our stay memorable.

He was a different man.

He never talked on the phone and never checked it, either. He was no longer tense, on the lookout, or ready to break someone’s neck.

It was a nice break from the hectic life we led in New York.

I was sad when I realized we’d leave it all behind.

The sunny rooms, having breakfast by the pool, skin dipping in the middle of the day, walking on the beach, and snorkeling.

That night, we had dinner at our favorite restaurant, where we felt like we belonged.

That night, we had sex that felt more emotional and tender than ever, and the next day, we spent hours in town looking for souvenirs and little things to take home.

That was then.

And here we are now.

A cold gust of wind sweeps my cheeks, sending a shudder through my bones and putting things in perspective.

It’s like ice flows through my veins at the thought that a week from now, I’ll be in class, and Ewan and I will be where exactly?

Who knows what will happen to us?

He shows me to his truck, and we both climb in. He turns the engine on and looks in the rearview mirror while I study him.

Are we going to my place? His place? Or will he drop me off, and we’ll each see about our business?

The topic of spending the next few days together has never come up. Let alone making plans for celebrating the new year together.

He sets the truck in motion, and I tear my eyes away from him and lean back in my seat.

“It’s so different here, isn’t it?” he says as he steers his ride toward Long Island.

His nostalgic voice makes me think I’m not the only one thinking about the last few days.

“It certainly is,” I murmur, looking out the window.

There isn’t much to see.

Thick fog clings to the trees, and lights dot both sides of the road, the small towns looking frozen in the lingering magic of past Christmas.

Something different nags at my awareness.

Even if Ewan and I will never last, I’m grateful for the time we spent together.

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