Page 108 of The Romance Game

My heart grows and fills and then overflows with each word Ryan speaks. He doesn’t waver from my gaze. His tone doesn’t drop or lack promise. His hands remain firmly around me.

But the hope and truth about this moment supersedes it all.

Keeping my eyes on him, I say, “I told myself I don’t want romance. I do. I also told myself that I don’t want anything complicated. That’s still true. Forget romantic-plicated. More than anything, I want us.”

The space closes between us and we seal this pledge to each other with a kiss that’s better than our first and every single one we’ve shared since.

It’s the ideal balance of sweet and deep, with a give and receive, and a little purr from me to counter Ryan’s growl thattells me he’s lost in this kiss, but that’s only because we found each other, the real treasure, after years of hunting.

When we part, I remember where we are. “Oh, great. This will be on the Coconut Wireless before long.”

“What? The two of us kissing on Main Street? That’s nothing new.”

But this feels new, or like a renewal, and no matter what happens we’ll keep moving forward. Taking my hand in his, Ryan and I start walking. It’s only when we reach the peninsula that I realize we’ve been talking the whole time without a particular direction in mind and that’s because we’re going to stay here. Ryan is going to retire—quit a winner, as he said. Everyone will think he’s insane for not taking the money, but he wants a life more than cash. I plan to decline the job offer in Montgomery because I have ice cream to serve, a boy to raise, and a man to love.

The wind blows out here on what Ryan callsPonto Fim. It’s McGregor territory with Chip’s mausoleum on the point and reminds me of the treasure hunt.

“Any progress?” I ask.

He knows what I’m referring to without my needing to specify. He tells me about revealing the message on the blank paper with rum and applied with the plume end of the pen.

“Chip never ceases to amaze me. Clever guy. Mysterious.”

“And with perfect timing. Looks like we’re going to get a beautiful late summer sunset.” Deep orange and crimson washes the sky in vibrant hues.

He recites the old sailing expression, “Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.” Ryan goes still.

We both look toward the west.

“No doubt Magnus, Royal, and CJ are turning the island over, looking for the rare red piece of coral. I hope that it wasn’t disturbed when they were redoing the resort.”

“Do you think he would’ve hidden two of the missing stones there though?”

Ryan tips his head from side to side. “Not likely, so what if it’s somewhere else?”

“CJ is always talking about what we don’t know. Until recently, we didn’t know about the contents of the journal, the sketch of the Pirate Defense League symbol, and the numbers on it.”

“Another safe deposit box or a code to safe?” I ask, referring to where Lally and Magnus found the box containing the diamond.

He shakes his head. “Royal has searched them all and safe deposit boxes require a key.”

“We also know about Captain J.”

“And let’s not forget the piece of the map and the old map of the area painted on the wall of the Sip & Scoop.” Ryan sighs.

“I’d say we’ve made some progress, but how does it all fit together?” I lace my hand into his.

“I’m not sure, but I know it does.”

We’re quiet for a moment as the sun burns like liquid fire melting into the horizon.

“Chip and my grandmother used to come out here every night to watch the sunset.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“But I guess it isn’t the most romantic place for us to hang out, considering he’s buried right over there.” Ryan points to the mausoleum.

“It’s nice that you can visit him, but tragic that you don’t know what happened to your grandmother.” Uncle Eddie brings flowers to Aunt Martina’s grave every week, and even though she’s gone to heaven, we all agree it helps him to feel connected to her still.

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