EPILOGUE — TWO YEARS LATER
Ibroke through the waves, the water refreshing on my skin. It had been a hot day on the boat, and I was grateful for the cool. I swam back to the shore, not surprised to find Raven waiting, towel in one hand, a cold drink in the other. I walked toward her, smiling.
Her skin was sun-kissed, a golden glow that set off her dark hair and emphasized her beautiful eyes. These days, they were relaxed and at peace all the time.
The choice to move here came easily. Once we were back in Toronto, Raven became fearful. Even though she knew Andy was dead, it haunted her. Even with counseling, she admitted she couldn’t let go of the memories. I wasn’t surprised. Everything that was part of us was associated with the events of the past. The pub where we met. The coffee shop. My apartment. The school. Even driving past the zoo made her uneasy. Deb, Tracey, Leo. All were reminders.
I called Matteo, and a year after leaving the island, we were back. Raven finished her school year, and I closed up my life. We returned to the island, and Raven flourished. She loved teaching on the mainland, and I enjoyed the outdoor life and helped out some days with the charter business Alex and Vince ran. Alex was off on another trip with Roza, so today, I filled in.
But it had been a long day, and I smiled as I approached my wife, grateful it was done and behind me. I bent and kissed her full mouth, and then, unable to resist, nuzzled her bare shoulder. She shivered, making me smile.
“You’re all wet,” she murmured, pushing the towel into my arms, edging away.
I caught her waist. “Give me five, baby, and you will be too.”
She laughed, pushing me away. “We’re having dinner with the crew tonight. Save it.”
I pouted but took the glass she offered and downed the fresh, cold beverage. Raven loved to mix the various fruits on the island and from the market, to make her own juice. This was one of my favorites—passion fruit, pineapple, and mango.
“You look very pretty,” I commented. “I like that dress.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Especially those little bows on your shoulders.”
She rolled her eyes. “Do you only have one thing on your mind today?”
“Yes.”
“Well, forget about it until later.”
“What time is dinner?”
“Thirty minutes.”
I could work with that.
Teasing, I shook my head, covering her in a spray of seawater. She jumped back, but it was too late.
“Damien,” she scolded in her best teacher voice. “Now my dress is wet!”
“Oops.” I dropped the glass and grabbed her, throwing her over my shoulder. “Might as well finish the job.”
She gasped in outrage, smacking my back. “Don’t you dare!”
I strode back into the water, dunking us both. She came up sputtering and spitting in her anger. Then she launched herself at me, and I caught her in my arms. We kissed endlessly, the dinner forgotten, nothing else mattering but us. We’d be late, if we ever showed up.
We were newlyweds after all.
I’d married my Raven at sunset on the beach in front of our house last month. We were surrounded by our friends whom we considered family. Egan and Sofia were there. My mother and stepfather flew in, marveling at the beauty of the island, but luckily not interested in living somewhere so remote. Raven’s brother watched via Zoom with his family.
It was a perfect evening, filled with love. We ate under the stars and danced in the moonlight. There was much laughter, lots of hugs, far too much champagne, and at the end of the night, just my wife and me. As I had already stated—perfect.
Raven floated in the water, her dress discarded, her legs wrapped around my waist, anchoring herself to me. Moving here was the right decision. The memories were far away, banished by the sun and water.
Her long hair was spread out around her, and she was beautiful. I traced a finger down her torso, swirling it over her skin. She giggled and pushed my hand out of the way. She stood in the water, shaking her head. “We don’t have time for round two.”
“They’ll understand.”
She shook her head. “Marcus is making his linguine, Damien. With the lemon cream sauce and chicken. We can’t miss that.”
I began to laugh. “Already? You’re tired of me already? Pasta wins over sex with me?”