Page 57 of Coral Prince Conundrum
“I’ve just…missed you so much.” He gazes off at the happy couples dancing a few yards away. “But I didn’t think you’d come back. I saw you on the news at all those summits, and…”
“I am right here,” I say.
He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t try to kiss you.” Panic races through my soul.Was this all for nothing?“We haven’t spoken, and like…I don’t even know if you’re single, or like…willing to…”
“Daryl Tishman. I sailed across the ocean just to be here with you for this event.”
He looks at me, his brown eyes twinkling with fondness. “Why didn’t you contact me? I’ve been out of the hospital for weeks. I just assumed you were done with me since you’re this big global ambassador now.”
I frown and grip both his hands. “I do not wish to be done with you.” Warmth floods my cheeks. “I was just…ashamed that you got hurt. Because of my family. I thought you would be mad at me, but here I am, still wanting to try…this…between us.”
A hopeful expression appears in Daryl’s eyes. “Us, like just a friend thing?”
I shake my head and smile. “I am going to lean forward and kiss you now, to prove that I want so much more than friendship.” His eyebrows jump, and I move forward. “You can say no, at any time, Daryl.”
I don’t even make it halfway to his seat before he’s grabbing my face. He puts his mouth on mine with force, kissing me with fervor. In that moment, a part of my soul heals. In this kiss, the longing and guilt I held for the past four weeks wash away with the tide.
We’re broken from the kiss to the sound of someone clapping. To my left, in a far corner, my brother is cheering. We laugh, and I look back at Daryl. “It seems we have an audience,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “My brother has been emotionally supporting me.”
He grins. “Well, if I didn’t have his number, I might not have been able to send anyone the video clip of your sister’s confession.”
I wince. “I am so sorry about that.”
Daryl waves his hand. “You didn’t force her to do anything. And I think this more than makes up for it.” He leans forward and pulls me in by my suit collar. We kiss and kiss, mouths melding, despite being in public.
When we pull off, I laugh and hold his forehead to mine. “I am so grateful you’re here,” I whisper.
“Right back at ya, Coral Prince.” We both chuckle. “I take it your guards also came with you?”
I look around and notice my security detail blending in with the background. Elsewhere, my brother stacks too much food onto a small plate, and someone I do not recognize in a white suit gazes at him from a distance.Huh. I am sure the our guards will keep Oroy safe. “I am afraid so.” Turning back to my love, I add, “But, um, I have my own room for the night.”
“Really?” he purrs with interest.
“Yes.” I trace my fingers around his palm, up his wrist.He is so precious to me.“I know there is much to discuss. Between us. But if you stay with me tonight, we could have some privacy.”
His face brightens like a thousand glowing krill in the deep. “I amverydown to do that, Seero.” He reaches for the metal crutch. “Let me text my dad and we can?—”
“Wait, wait.” I stand up, and he looks at me with an adorably confused expression. “I believe I asked you a question when I first got here.”
“What?”
I reach out my hand. “Daryl Tishman, may I have this dance?”
He grins at me, and when he lets me pull him up, my heart swells with joy. He takes the crutches under his arms,and I allow him to gradually amble to the nearest part of the dance floor. The music slows down, the strumming of string instruments rises, and the lights dim.
Here, in the Renversé Hotel, everything is perfect. Because I have Daryl Tishman with me, mykaluluwa, the one I was meant to be with.
“I can’t…um…” he murmurs. He shows me his arms trapped in his crutches, and I snicker.
“It is most alright,” I say, taking his shoulders. “As long as I am with you, everything works out.” I bring him closer and we sway to the music. The twinkling lights reflect on his pristine skin, and all is right in the world.
“I hate to ask you but, uh…” Nervousness overtakes him while we dance. “This can’t wait.”
“What is it, love?” I ask.
He bites back a smile at the nickname. “That. What you just said.”
