Page 103 of A Love Like That

“Come,” I said, holding out my hand. “Join me.”

She’d looked beautiful at dinner in her dress and heels, but I preferred her like this. Barefoot and fresh-faced. Comfortable in her own skin.

She stepped into the water, the jets bubbling around us, the sky slowly deepening to a darkish purple. I pulled her into my arms, our bodies sliding against each other in the most delicious way. I kissed her fully, deeply, until we were both panting. And then I rested my forehead against hers.

“Champagne?” I asked.

“What are we celebrating?”

“Life.” I grabbed the glasses and handed one to her.

“To life.” We clinked our glasses together and then each took a sip. It was fruity and effervescent, refreshing after a long day of exploring Bear Creek and each other.

We ate strawberries and drank champagne and stared at the stars as we chatted about everything and nothing. I lost track of time, just enjoying where I was and who I was with.

When Elle winced, I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Hey. Are you okay?”

She waved away my concern and forced a smile. “Just a headache. I probably should’ve had more water today.”

Justa headache?

That simple phrase only caused more alarm. I stilled, my mind racing with thoughts. Memories. Fears. How many times had Tessa complained of a headache?

Before her death, she’d experienced intense headaches for months. When the doctors had finally determined the cause, it had been too late.

“A headache?” I whispered, my voice shaky like my hands. I set my glass on the deck, nearly knocking it over in the process.Not again. I can’t go through this again.

I could remember it all so clearly. Months of Tessa not feeling well. Watching my once-vibrant wife fade away, until we discovered the truth. She had a brain tumor, and there was no guarantee the operation would be a success. Then, we’d made it through the stress of the surgery without knowing how it would impact her.

And just when we thought we’d overcome the biggest hurdle, her body had gone into shock. She’d slipped into a coma with no chance of recovery. Everything had happened so suddenly, and I hadn’t known what or how to tell the children. Whether to have them come say goodbye before we terminated life support.

I dropped my head in my hands, my breath coming in pants.

It had been the most difficult thing I’d ever gone through. I’d had to face difficult and heartbreaking decisions. And Gloria had…

I was barely conscious of Elle shifting closer, placing her hand on my back. Her touch was soothing. “Tristan,” she said. “Tristan.” Again. More firmly.

“I…can’t.” I swallowed.

“You can’t what?” she asked, her tone patient yet filled with concern.

Breathe.

Lose you.

I didn’t say anything, merely crushed her to my chest. Needing to reassure myself that she was okay. Suddenly, everything else seemed silly and superficial in comparison to how awful things could be. How awful they had been.

“Hey,” she said in a quiet voice, understanding softening her tone. “I’m okay. It’s just a headache. Promise.”

She couldn’t know. She couldn’t guarantee that.

“It wasn’t just a headache for Tessa. It—”

“Shh.” She held me close, and her touch was soothing. “I know. I know.” She rubbed my back, waiting for my breathing to return to normal. I focused on her scent—sweet and spicy. And tried to listen to what she was saying. “The chance of brain tumors being hereditary is extremely rare.”

Rare, but not impossible.

The chances of getting oneperiodwas rare. And yet Tessa had gotten one.

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