“But—”
“But nothing. You dragged yourself out of the dark and proved what an amazing and strong woman you are. There’s not a damn thing to be sorry about.”
“I closed down. Shut you out. I ruined us before we’d barely gotten started.”
Dane pulls back and looks at me. “We’re right here. We might be drifting, but we’re not done yet.” He releases his hold and wipes my tears away again. “You’re the most determined woman I’ve ever met. If you’re not giving up, then we’ve got a fighting chance. I just need to know that you’re going to fight. I need to know that we’re worth it to you. I can’t do this by myself.”
We’re not done yet.
They’re the words I need to hear. I drop my forehead onto his shoulder and wrap my arms around his neck. For the first time in a long time, I feel the connection between us again.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper.
“I’ve missed you too, baby.”
I soak in his strength for long minutes before I gather myself, a kind of relief filling me that I haven’t felt . . . maybe ever.
I open my mouth to say something else, but a growl from my stomach fills the room. He trails a finger down my cheek and smiles in a way that’s softer, not typical of Dane.
“Finish getting ready so we can feed you. I’m not about to let my woman go hungry.” He presses a kiss to my forehead and I rise from the bed.
I turn away before I squeeze my eyes shut at the words my woman. My husband has always been a man of few words, and those words have never included my woman.
They give me a renewed sense of hope that maybe this is fixable, and I haven’t screwed up our marriage to the point of no return.
“I just need a few more minutes.”
“Take as long as you need.”
Chapter 11
Dane
I lead the way out of the cabana and follow the directions we were given to the restaurant. Even if I didn’t know which way to turn, I could simply follow the scent of grilled fish and find it. I’ve missed simple island cooking.
“This place is amazing.”
Kat’s voice is quiet just ahead of me as she pauses on the wooden path in front of the building housing the main restaurant for the island. I read the specials that our host told us about listed on a chalkboard. She turns around, the strands of hair that escaped her messy bun blowing in the breeze.
“You look beautiful, Kat.”
How long has it been since I said those words to her? The fact that I can’t remember slugs me in the gut.
It drives home the point that we’ve both played a role in fucking this up. There’s plenty of blame to go around, and she doesn’t have a monopoly on it.
“Thank you.” Her response is quiet, and the small smile on her lips doesn’t disguise the look of surprise.
Yeah, I’ve fucked up plenty.
“Welcome to Sweet Water Grill! We’re happy to have you on the island with us today!” An excited voice comes from just inside the building, and a tall black man steps out wearing tan pants and a purple shirt with the Sweet Water Resort logo on the pocket.
“Thank you. We’re happy to be here.” As ever, Kat is polite and kind to strangers.
“Come in, come in. I’m Andreas, the restaurant manager, bartender, and many other things during low season.” He waves us along as he keeps talking. “Did you see the specials? We’ve got chipotle snapper filet, and also fresh lobster tail grilled with tequila and lime butter.”
Andreas leads us into the restaurant, which is a large octagonal room with a vaulted ceiling and wooden beams overhead, topped with a thatched roof about twenty feet above us that gives it an open feel. Rattan globes of different sizes hang from the exposed beams to provide an intimate glow.
Andreas stops at a prime table overlooking the back side of the island. Other than the three of us, it appears the restaurant is completely empty.
“Are we the only ones eating tonight?” Kat asks.
Andreas looks somewhat surprised by her question. “You’re the only ones here at the moment. It’s low season right now. Didn’t they tell you? We were supposed to have another couple this afternoon, but they’ve had some kind of delay.”
Kat looks at me with a silent did you realize?
I shake my head. Although I knew it was low season, I didn’t realize there was a chance we’d be the only ones here.
It’s actually the perfect setup. No interruptions while we figure out how to start over.
“A private island all to ourselves. It really does seem like paradise.”
Andreas laughs, and the sound fills the room. “It is paradise. Do you know what you would like to drink? I’ll get you something while you decide what you’d like for dinner.”
I look down at the menu clipped to a bamboo board. “A Belikin would be great.”
Andreas claps. “Excellent. I can certainly do that.” His attention turns to Kat. “And for you, my lovely lady?”
“I’ll have another of the Purple Rain drinks that I had earlier. It was delicious. Very island-paradise appropriate.”
“Perfect. Perfect. I’ll get those both for you.”
Andreas returns to the polished bamboo bar before pulling out a glass and mixing Kat’s drink. I shift my attention back to her, but Kat’s gaze is on the menu.
“I’m surprised you’re reading the menu. I was willing to bet you would pick the lobster.”
Her head jerks up, and a smile plays at the corner of her mouth. “You think you’ve got me all figured out?”
There’s a hint of teasing in her words, and it gives me a sense of relief that she’s not reverting to the stiff and serious demeanor she adopted earlier today. I want the playful and fun Kat I used to have again.