Roman was actually right by her side. He’d crept up from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. Warmth spread all over. No one had ever held her like this; tight, protective. It felt like home.
‘Let’s escape,’ he whispered.
‘I should say goodbye to the others.’
‘No, you shouldn’t. Let’s get out of here before it’s too late.’
They compromised. Samantha tapped Naomi’s shoulder and blew her a kiss goodbye. They took off straight away, racing toward the park’s exit. It was funny how re-energized she felt. Roman led her to a dusty red jeep. This vehicle, the motorcycle, and the black saloon belonged to his cousin, a mechanic. He borrowed them at will. It was a reminder that he wasn’t rooted in Tobago. Everything was transient and temporary.
He tossed her bag onto the back seat, helped her in, and they sped off. Despite the humidity, the sky was silvery blue. The road ahead was long, narrow and sinewy. The radio was on low. Every cell in Samantha’s body hummed in anticipation. She was more than a little frustrated when he pulled to the side of the road.
‘We have to do this the right way,’ he said. ‘Let’s buy snacks.’
A roadside stall sold a variety of goodies, made of coconut, rice, chocolate, and ripe plantains. It looked so delectable. Samantha picked a rice cake from the stack. ‘Is this sweet or savoury?’
‘You tell me.’
Roman took it from her, unwrapped it, broke off a piece and gave her a taste. She savoured the honey sweetness. ‘Mmm … it is.’
He leaned in and kissed her, tasted her. ‘Not as sweet as you.’
Samantha closed her eyes. This was the moment she’d relive again and again in the days, weeks and months to come. When their trail of texts had gone cold and she didn’t know where in the world Roman was, she’d relive this kiss.
The vendor cleared her throat. ‘You two lovebirds best be buying something!’
Roman broke away, laughing. Samantha stood rooted in place. That laugh did things to her, moved through her, loosened and swept away every last bit of doubt. She’d follow it wherever it led.