Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 447(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 298(@300wpm)
The sun peeked through the curtains, an invitation to step outside into the world, but all I wanted was to stay in this bed with Blair. And it wasn’t only about the sex. That realization was as enlightening as it was unsettling.
She ran her finger along my chest. “If we were a movie, what kind would we be? A comedy? A drama?”
I scratched my chin. “I think we’re neither. We’re more like…a really good documentary. Because nothing about this experience has been anything less than real for me, an authentic connection. And while there have been funny moments—mostly thanks to you—comedy would be too simple to represent what this feels like. It also wouldn’t be a sad story, despite what we’ll inevitably experience tomorrow. So, I think documentary is the closest match, a series of moments where two humans forged a connection that neither one will ever forget.”
“That’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“You’re beautiful.” I smiled. “In fact, I hope it doesn’t freak you out, but I want to take some photos of you before we leave.”
She flashed a mischievous grin. “Naked ones?”
“Believe it or not, no. I just don’t ever want to forget you.” I shook my head. “I mean, I’ll never forget you, but I don’t want my memory of you to fade at all. I have a feeling I’m gonna get home and wonder if this was all a dream. I want to be able to look at the photos and smile when I’m down.”
“Well, then you have to let me do the same. And of course, we’ll have to take some together.”
“Maybe we can get that angry waitress to be the photographer.” I winked.
She laughed. “Why not ask? We’ve already pissed her off...”
Once we finally managed to get out of bed and downstairs, Blair and I ate the quickest breakfast we could, not wanting to waste time. We’d have plenty of time to eat after we left each other.
After breakfast, we took a walk on the beach hand in hand, reminiscing about our short trip together as if it had been a lifetime—everything from the first meeting at the kiddie pool to the helmet diving and massage, to the moment I said fuck it and we never looked back.
Eventually we found a shady spot under a tree. Blair took an envelope out of her bag and handed it to me.
My eyes widened. “What’s this?”
“It’s a letter I wrote you. I don’t want you to read it until we leave each other, though.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You’re making me emotional, and I haven’t even read it.”
“I needed to get some things off my chest that I knew I wouldn’t be able to articulate tomorrow morning in the rush of having to leave.”
It made me feel horrible that she’d done something like this, and I hadn’t written anything.
As if she’d read my mind, she said, “Don’t feel like you need to do the same. Truly. It’s just something I wanted to do.”
I exhaled. “Honestly, I wish I could articulate everything, but I’m not very good at writing. It would take me all day to organize what I’m feeling into words, and I don’t want to waste our time together trying to get my brain to work. I’d prefer to be with you.” I looked down at the envelope again. “I don’t understand, though. When did you write this? We’ve been together the entire time.”
“It’s not long. I put it together while you were sleeping last night. I had a little insomnia.”
“I had no idea you were awake in the middle of the night.”
“It was just an hour. After I wrote it, I was able to go back to sleep. I think all of these emotions had been nagging me. Once I got them out, I felt better.”
I shook my head. There was so much I wanted to say to her before we parted. Maybe I could figure out a way to write it down. Or even better, maybe I could convince her to give me her contact information, though she’d still said she preferred that we not exchange last names.
“Should we take the photos now?” I asked.
She stood and wiped some dirt off her skirt. “Sure.”
We picked a spot under some palm trees. The sun wasn’t too bright—it was perfect. Blair leaned against the tree as her hair blew around in the gentle breeze. I was sure there was no more beautiful woman in the entire world. I wondered if I’d always believe that or if my opinion was skewed because of the massive fog of lust and admiration currently engulfing me. Maybe there was a stronger word to describe what I was feeling, but I wasn’t willing to let my mind go there.
After taking several photos of her with my phone, I switched positions with her so she could take photos of me.