“We are not missing our sunset after how hard you’ve worked at my restaurant,” she said emphatically.
“Attagirl. Now, get your sexy ass over here, and let’s see what Shelley put together for us.”
They sat on the pillows, and Abby peered into the basket. “Why do I have a feeling you told her exactly what to put in this?”
“I can’t imagine why you’d think that.” He took out a charcuterie tray with four types of cheese, prosciutto and four other types of meat, dried apricots, assorted berries, cherry tomatoes, baguette slices, artisan crackers, nuts, black olives, pickles, and three different dips.
“This visual feast is gorgeous enough to grace the cover of a magazine,” Abby said as Aiden poured them each a glass of wine.
Loving her excitement, he handed her a wineglass and said, “So are you, Abby DM.”
“You make me sound like a social media message. Hey, did you get that Abby DM spam that’s going around?” They laughed and she said, “Oh my gosh, Aiden. If I’m Abby DM, you’re AA.”
“If Remi’s comments about me hold any weight, you might need a support group after hanging out with me for a few weeks.”
She popped a raspberry into her mouth and said, “I’m pretty sure I need a support group anyway. What harm can it do to add a little more crazy to an already wacky woman?”
“We’ll soon find out.” He lifted his glass and said, “Here’s to you, Abs. You can spam my in-box anytime.”
“Why, thank you, AA. I plan on doing just that, so maybe we should add find a support group to our list.”
“I like that.”
“What?”
“Our list instead of my list.” He leaned in for a kiss.
They drank their wine and made tiny sandwiches, feeding each other tastes of their creations as they watched the sun setting in the distance. Everything they did together made him realize how much he’d been missing out on. He couldn’t remember ever watching a sunset, much less enjoying a picnic.
After they ate, Aiden put his arm around Abby, and she settled in against him. He kissed her head, realizing how often he’d done it and how natural it felt.
“It’s been so long since I’ve watched the sunset, I’d forgotten how beautiful they are,” she said with a sigh.
“I know after your father died you were too focused on keeping a roof over your heads and worried about your mom to take time to watch a sunset. But did you watch many before your life was turned upside down?”
“Not as many as you’d think. Sometimes we’d watch them as a family if my parents could get off work. And after my dad died, I managed to sneak time in with friends, but I was too anxious and guilt ridden to enjoy it.”
He kissed the side of her head, holding her tighter. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s different being back on the island without my mom to worry about. I loved her. I truly did, despite her alcoholism, and I don’t mean this as harsh as it’s going to sound, but the truth is, without the stress of worrying if she’ll drink herself to death or everything else that goes hand in hand with alcoholism, I feel like I can finally breathe. I can finally see the island and all its beauty as I remembered it. Maybe I should feel guilty for admitting that, but I did my best to help my mom, and I believe she knew I loved her.”
“Of course she did. You put your life on hold to care for her.”
“She left us each a letter,” she said softly, tracing his fingers with hers. “I haven’t read mine yet.”
“Why not?”
She sat up, and before she even said a word, he saw so many questions swimming in her eyes, he wished he had the answers.
“Because that letter is the end of everything,” she said passionately. “Do I want her to apologize? To acknowledge the hurt she caused? Or am I past that? I think I am. I don’t feel angry toward her, just hurt that she didn’t tell us she was sick. But Shelley already explained that my mom didn’t feel strong enough to face doing that, and I can understand that because I can’t imagine knowing you’re going to die and having to tell your children. But what if I’m wrong? What if she doesn’t apologize and I’m not past it? What if the letter makes me mad? It’s not like I can look her in the eyes and tell her what I’m feeling or what I need to hear. And what if she says something I don’t want to know? Not that I think there are more family secrets, but who knows?”
He brushed a lock of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “What if you read it and it’s everything you never knew you needed to hear?”
“What if . . . ?” Her smile snuck out.
“I would give anything to have known my parents’ final thoughts. But I understand your hesitation. I’m here for you either way, whether you decide to read it or not. And if you need to cry, yell, or stare out at the ocean and just be held, I’ve got a great set of ears and strong arms.”
“You forgot a comforting heart.” She held his gaze and said, “Thank you. I appreciate that. I don’t know when I’ll feel up to reading it, but I know I don’t want to read it around Deirdra. She has too many bad feelings toward my mom.”
He took her hand in his and said, “That’s probably wise. When I met Jock today, I asked him how he felt about moving back to the island, and he said he believed the island has a bit of healing magic if you’re open to it. Now, if you ask me, as a man who believes in hard-core facts and statistics, I think it was that little lady in his arms and his beautiful wife who had worked their magic. But if he’s right and if that letter holds words that hurt, then maybe being back on the island will help you heal.”
“That’s an old wives’ tale,” she said. “My mom used to say if you wish upon the right star, the island can help you heal and make your dreams come true.”
“There’s no harm in believing it, and wishing on a star is on my list.” Aiden didn’t believe in magic or wishes, but the hope brimming in Abby’s beautiful eyes had him hoping he was wrong. “What do you say, Abs? Want to give it a shot?”
“Only if you’ll wish with me. You can make your own wish, of course.”
He took her hand and said, “On the count of three?”
“We have to close our eyes,” she said excitedly.
She was so cute. She closed her eyes, her long lashes sweeping her cheeks. They counted to three, and he tossed his wish up to what he hoped were the most powerful stars that existed—I hope all of Abby’s dreams come true and her mother’s letter leaves more love than loss behind.
Aiden’s phone dinged with a text message. “Excuse me.” He pulled it from his pocket and saw Remi’s name on the screen. “My sister,” he said as he opened her message. Are you still alive? He shook his head and started to put his phone away.
She touched his hand, stopping him. “Don’t you want to answer her?”
“And interrupt our first real date?”
“I don’t mind. It’s your sister.”
“I mind—” Several more messages came in in rapid succession, and he quickly read them. You haven’t returned my texts since yesterday morning, and I realized that you didn’t tell me anything about this Abby chick. What if she’s psycho? He turned his phone so Abby could read the message.