The days began to fly by, and a satisfying routine developed. Maybe it was all due to the love that had been professed. All I knew was that I was happier than I ever had been.
As we did each morning, we saw Dad off. Waving at him, I looked over at Charlie. “Ready to run?”
“Maybe.” He reached for me and gave me a kiss. “Now I am.”
I laughed and ran down onto the beach. Charlie began to race me which I didn’t ignore. Our feet pounded on the sand as we pushed to out-distance the other.At the turning point, we collapsed onto the sand, each of us breathing heavy and trying not to laugh.
“I won,” he declared.
I looked over at him. “I don’t think so.”
Charlie pushed up and leaned over me. “Oh, I won.” He lowered his head and gave me a long kiss.
This was the moment that was just us. No one else was on the beach, and I gave myself entirely into the kiss that made my toes curl.