Page 77 of One More Chance

“You can always run with me?” he suggests.

“Oh, no, thank you. If it’s not toward food or for my life, I’ll pass.”

Jensen laughs and smacks me on the butt as I turn to the door. “Suit yourself.”

I turn and watch him jog down the sandy beach. I admire his sheer willpower. I have none of my own to speak of when it comes to exercise related things. I am blessed with a naturally slim figure and I thank my lucky stars regularly for it.

Sliding the door shut behind me, I wrap the blanket further around me and plop back onto the bed. I definitely wasn’t lying when I said I might not be able to go back to sleep. I feel very awake. Too awake. Pulling my phone from its charging cord, I notice a text from Lyla that came in not too long ago. What is she doing up at this hour?

Lyla:So…how’s it going? ;)

Me:Why are you awake so early?

Lyla:It might be our honeymoon, but I still try to get in a run each morning.

Me:Gross. You and Jensen have that in common. Anyway, it’s going great. I only wish it didn’t have to end so soon.

Lyla:End?

Me:Well I have to come home. Things will be over then.

Lyla:That’s dumb. They don’t have to end. Also, it’s not like you really HAVE TO come home.

Me:What are you even saying?

Lyla:I’m saying stay if you want. For as long as you want. Forever, if you want.

Me:Don’t be ridiculous.

Lyla:I’m not. You’re a grown woman. You can decide what you want to do. You’re not tied down.

I consider her words for a few minutes. She’s insane, obviously, but it doesn’t stop me from thinking about it. For a brief moment.

Me:My ticket home is already booked.

Lyla:So?

Me:So don’t make this any harder or more complicated.

Lyla:I’m just trying to help.

Me:The fact is, I have to come back home. I can’t just uproot my life and I can’t just assume he would even want me here.

I set my phone down because I can’t deal with this right now. I don’t want to dwell on the completely pointless what ifs of this situation. It is what it is. We had fun. We’re still having fun. And in a few days, I’ll fly back home and he’ll go off wherever and probably have fun with someone new. The thought actually makes me lurch forward, like I’ll vomit if I think on it too hard. Going back to sleep definitely isn’t in the cards now. And I don’t want to shower until Jensen gets back, because why shower alone when I can shower with him? Tossing my feet back over the bed, I decide the only thing I can do is cook breakfast.

And drink more coffee. I’m definitely going to need more coffee.