Page 91 of Dropping In

I nod, my own tears falling again. “It’s perfect.”

He shakes his head, cupping my cheek with one hand and bringing my forehead to his. “No, it’s original, and perfect for us. That’s better.”

“I love you, Mal.”

“Forever,” he says, some of that ferocity back.

I nod. “Forever.”

And then he stands and swings me with him, our lips meeting in a kiss that isn’t delicate, but real and urgent. We stay like that until the sun is gone, our beach quiet, leaving the two of us holding on to each other, the way it will be for the rest of our lives.

THE END