Page 74 of Count Down

“I… I love you.”

Another smile bursts across my face. I kiss him before I reply. “I love you too.”

A grin spreads across Luca’s face, and in his eyes, I can see he’s smiling. It feels so good to see him happy.

“Was telling me that the scariest thing you did tonight?” I ask him playfully.

Luca chuckles. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous.”

51

LUCA

2 WEEKS LATER

I never ina million years imagined that life could be like this. At least not for me. I always felt there was a curse on me. That the world had it in for me and would take away everything I ever loved.

Yes, life can fuck you over. Yes, you will lose loved ones. But that doesn’t mean you should ever give up loving someone with all your fucking heart.

Maybe Gina broke the curse. Maybe curses are just bullshit we make up because we’re afraid to be vulnerable. It doesn’t really fucking matter, does it? I’m going to enjoy every second I get to spend with this woman I love and who loves me back.

A little while after we got to Barcelona, Gina and I decided we should visit Mallorca. We don’t know where we want to settle, yet. I’ve still got access to all the money I stored away in accounts, so maybe someday we’ll find a place we want to make our own. But right now, we’re enjoying exploring. Being nomads. After a life of staying in one place, I’m amazed that I’ve become somewhat used to moving around. Gina is my home now.

Today, we’ve found a small, secluded beach off the northeast coast. Gina is cooling off in the clearest water I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to believe that the Mediterranean Sea and the Schuykill River are both made of water.

Gina comes jogging out of the water and back to her towel next to mine. I don’t know how, but Spain only seems to have made her even more beautiful. I fall in love with her again every time I look at her.

“How’s the water?” I ask her.

“Refreshing,” she says, drying her face with her towel. “You should go in before we head back to Palma.”

I nod. “What would you like to do in Palma?” I ask her.

“There’s a small ballet company there. I want to check them out. See what they’ve got going on.” Gina lies back on her towel. “Anything you want to do?”

“I don’t know,” I answer. “But I look forward to figuring it out. Eventually.”

Gina smiles back at me. She lays her head back and shields her eyes from the sun. I watch her body as she breaths, loving how it calms me just to be near her.

As I look out across the water, something small flies toward me and then hovers. Its wings are bright and colorful. It hovers just out of my reach.

“Hey little guy,” I whisper to him. “I see you.”

Then it flies away. I watch it go, until it’s too far for me to see anymore.

Sometimes these beautiful moments are fleeting. Sometimes they live on in our memories. And if you’re lucky enough, you find someone who shows you just how beautiful life can be.

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