“That’s nonsense. Love is love no matter how old you are. It can be complicated if we let it be, but at the heart, it’s always very simple. So?”
“So what?” She gathered up some napkins and tossed them in the trash.
“So do you love him?”
The question made her freeze. When Sabrina asked it, it sounded so simple. And the answer was as well. It hadn’t changed since the first day she noticed the way his hair fell across his eye and how sweet the sound of his laughter was. She had known the answer to that question before he had ever even noticed her. Yearning pulsed through her as she forced herself to turn back toward Sabrina.
“That doesn’t always matter. It’s not like it is in the books, you know. Not for everyone.”
“Gina, I’m sorry.” Sabrina grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s alright. It’s just…” She managed a smile. “Not everyone gets a happy ending. Sometimes it’s just too late, so you have to make your own. And that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to take a trip somewhere exotic—like I’d always planned. I won’t be looking for love, I’ll be looking for adventure. Not everyone is meant to have love. Sometimes life takes you in a different direction.”
“You’re going to leave Love Isle?” Her eyes widened. “But it won’t be the same without you.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back.” Gina laughed. “I can’t ever be gone too long. I love it here. I love you and all my other friends. I’m surrounded by love, so I don’t think I can complain about being alone, now can I?” She winked at her. “Plus I’ll bring you souvenirs.”
“Oh, now that does sound good. Oh, and Gina, traveling is the perfect start to a good romance.”
“Ugh, Sabrina!” She swung her hand playfully at her.
“Easy now.” Sabrina laughed. “You don’t want to get injured before you have the chance to find that true love!”
“True love, huh?” Frank’s voice cut through their laughter. “Is that what you’re after?”
“No.” Gina turned to face him. “Just adventure. That’s all.”
“I see.” He nodded, then smiled at Sabrina.
“Oh, I have to get back to work!” Sabrina grabbed her book from the counter and headed for the door.
Gina stared after her and attempted to come up with an excuse for her to stay, but she was gone before she could.
“You’re a beautiful woman, GiGi, any man would be lucky to be with you.” He leaned against the counter as he looked at her.
“Ha.” She rolled her eyes and smiled. “I don’t look the way I did thirty years ago, Frank.”
“No you don’t, that’s for sure.” He straightened up and took a step toward her. “Your beauty has only increased with the years.”
Chapter 14
“You don’t have to lie to me to make me feel better, Frank.” Gina brushed her dark hair back from her face as she shrugged. “I know that I’ve let myself go. I can’t even remember the last time I wore make-up or did anything different with my hair. I guess I’m just not interested in impressing anyone anymore.”
“You never needed to do any of that to impress me.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re gorgeous from the inside out and you always will be. If you can ever trust anything I say, at least trust that.”
“Oh, Frank.” She picked up some more salt shakers to refill. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He took the salt shakers from her hands and set them back down on the counter. “Listen, the doctor cleared me to travel. I even got a note.” He pulled the folded note from his pocket and handed it to her. “I have a flight booked for tomorrow evening. Can’t we just spend this last bit of time together?”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” She stared at the note, then handed it back to him.
“I didn’t say that.” He recalled the doctor’s advice, but decided against sharing it with her. “But he did say it was nothing to be concerned about.”
“You’re being evasive.” She eyed him for a moment, then nodded. “I’d love to spend some more time with you—if that’s what you want.”
“It is. I know things have been a little rocky since I arrived, but the truth is, you know a part of me that no one else will ever know. Not the way that you do. I just want a chance for us to remember who we both were.” He hesitated, then lowered his voice. “I’m sorry for kissing you by the lake. It was presumptuous of me to think that you’d enjoy it.”
“Don’t apologize.” She winced and blushed at the same time. “There’s no reason to. I did enjoy it.”
“You did?” He smiled as he leaned a little closer to her. “I thought maybe you had.”
“I did.” She cleared her throat. “But it was for old times, you know? I understand that. I guess, no matter what changes in our lives, that chemistry never will.”
“Chemistry?” He nodded. “I guess you could call it that.”
“Why don’t we just call it dinner?” She smiled at him. “I’ll have Harry prepare us something delicious.”
“Harry, huh? Unfortunate name for a chef.” He grinned.
“That’s what he says.” She laughed, then disappeared into the kitchen.
As he watched her go, he wondered what his next step should be. He had the opportunity to walk away from her again—and hopefully move on with his life. That seemed to be what she wanted. But was it what he wanted? Could he really live the rest of his life knowing that he could have spent it with her? But maybe that wasn’t actually a possibility. She didn’t seem to think that it was. Why did she keep pushing him away?
When Gina returned with plates of food, she led him to a nearby table.
“We’re a bit early for the dinner rush. What odd hours we’ve kept, hm?” She shook her head. “I haven’t stayed up all night in a long time.”
“Me either. Thanks.” He smiled as she set a plate of food down in front of him. “I guess we won’t be getting much sleep tonight either. At least not any time soon.”
“No, I’m feeling pretty energized. What time is your flight tomorrow?” She glanced at him, then quickly away.
“It’s in the evening. I’ll have to leave the island by four.” He shrugged and picked at his food.
“Well, then we’ll have plenty of time. I’ll just have to make sure you’re in bed at a decent hour, so you don’t risk missing your flight.”
“Sure.” He looked at her, hoping for some sign that she might be upset about his leaving.
Instead, she chatted with him, almost too cheerfully, and filled him in on the lives of the people he used to know. Each time she laughed, he wanted to wrap her up in his arms, but he resisted. It couldn’t be one-sided and it couldn’t be rushed. He’d spent so much of his life wondering about what could have been, and now that he was face-to-face with her, he knew that he wanted more time—in whatever form that came.
When they left the diner together, he noticed that quite a few heads turned in their direction. Yes, some things about Love Isle never changed, including the gossip.
They walked for some time in silence, but it was comfortable. His hand brushed hers occasionally, but she didn’t take it or pull away. Now that he had a deadline—a time when he would say goodbye to the island again—he knew he had to make a choice.
As he glanced over at her in the fading light, he could see the young woman she’d once been and the woman she’d become. The beauty of both took his breath away.
His life had been a series of ups and downs. He’d been blessed in so many ways. But one thing had followed him through everything that he’d experienced—his love for Gina. Yes, he’d set it aside and dedicated himself to Michelle and their marriage, but his feelings had never truly faded.
As he walked beside her, his feelings were ignited again, just as they’d been when they were young, just as they’d been beside the lake the night before. He needed her in a way that drove his hand tow
ard hers, capturing it before she could think of pulling away.
To his surprise, she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she smiled a little and continued to walk.
Chapter 15
When Gina felt his hand around hers, everything shifted again, almost as intensely as it had when he’d kissed her. Her mind spun as she wondered if he would pull her in for a kiss.
When he didn’t, she began to relax.
Chemistry couldn’t describe the sparks that crackled between them. She felt as if Frank was the only one she would ever experience that with. Other men had never held a candle to the intensity that flowed between them.
He claimed he still thought she was beautiful. Was that even possible? She hadn’t thought of herself as beautiful in so long. It seemed that he couldn’t be telling the truth. But when he said it, it sounded like he meant it.
She’d been so focused on not letting herself get disappointed by his lack of interest that she had overlooked the possibility that he might actually desire her—the same way that she desired him. If he was willing to forgive her for the lie she’d told so many years before, wasn’t it worth a chance?
She stole a glance over at him and found his eyes settled on her. Her heart skipped a beat. He smiled. That sweet smile that she’d longed to see again. But he had a flight booked. Didn’t that mean his heart was set on leaving? Maybe he was just being kind, maybe she was reading too much into it.
“Ice cream?”
“What?” She blinked as she stared at him.
“I was asking you if you still have some ice cream tucked away in the back of your freezer. I remember that you always made sure you had some.”
“Maybe.” She grinned, then nodded. “Definitely.”
“So what do I have to do to get you to share?” He paused beside the front door as they reached the house.
“Just ask.” She flashed him a brief smile as she unlocked the door.
The way he looked at her sent a shiver up her spine.
“GiGi, will you share some of your ice cream with me?” He leaned close as she pushed the door open.
“Yes, I will.” She held his eyes for a long moment, then stepped into the house.
He closed the door as he followed after her. “I’ll be right there. I managed to pick up some new clothes, so I’d like to change.”
“Feel free.” She smiled. “There are towels in the bathroom if you’d like a shower.”
“Thanks.”
As he disappeared down the hall, she took a deep breath. Just the thought of him in the shower had stirred fantasies that threatened to overpower her restraint. She distracted herself by finding bowls, spoons, and toppings to go on the ice cream.
When she heard the shower turn off, she began to fill the bowls. Her heart pounded as she thought about the kiss the night before. What if it had been real and not just for old time’s sake?
As she picked up the bowls, music suddenly began to play. She recognized the song right away. It was the song they had claimed as their song when it had played on the radio during their third date. He must have found her record player in the guest room and the albums she still kept stored beneath it.
When she turned to leave the kitchen, she found him there.
His wet hair was slicked back, his cheeks flushed from the heat of the shower. He looked as handsome as ever in the t-shirt and jeans that he’d purchased.
She could only stare as the music played around them.
“I hope you don’t mind. I thought it might be nice to listen to it.”
“I don’t mind.” She carried the bowls into the living room, set them down on the coffee table, then felt his hand wrap around hers.
“Dance with me, GiGi.”
“Frank.” She laughed and started to pull back. “I’m not sure I even can anymore.”
“Nonsense.” He tugged her closer to him. “I know how much you love to dance. I know time has passed. I know you’ve moved on. I’m just asking for one dance.” He looked into her eyes. “Just one more.”
“Is that what you think?” She sighed as she gave in to his gentle guidance and settled against his chest. As their bodies began to move to the music, it was as if they had never been apart. “You think that I’ve moved on?”
“Haven’t you?” He nestled her even closer to him. “All you want is friendship—I can respect that, but GiGi, that’s not all I want.” He dipped her away from him, then drew her back close.
“Frank.” Her heart pounded and she tightened her grasp around his neck. The song ended and another began, but she barely noticed. She could only stare into his eyes. “How can you say that? I’m not who I was.”
“Yes, you are.” He brushed her hair back from her eyes and smiled. “You’re exactly who you’ve always been, beautiful inside and out. I know we missed thirty years. But I don’t want to miss a single moment more.”
“You can’t know that; we barely know each other. We’ve both had our lives and I—I just can’t.” She swallowed hard as she drew back from him. Suddenly tears threatened her eyes. “Frank, I just can’t lose you again. It broke my heart to say goodbye to you the first time—if I had to do it again—”
“You won’t.” He caught her hand, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close. “Never again.” He stared into her eyes with such intensity that even through the tears that clouded them, she could see his determination. “It broke my heart too, GiGi. And I’ve spent so much time believing that you never really cared. Now that I know why you did what you did—it just makes me love you even more. Yes, it hurt at the time, to think that you just didn’t want to share your life with me. But knowing that you gave up everything we could have had, just because you loved me…how can I ever be angry about that?”
“I wish I had told you the truth then.” She wiped at her eyes with her free hand. “I always thought it was the right choice, but now I don’t know.”
“It was.” He sighed as he squeezed her hand. “It was the right choice.”
Chapter 16
Uttering the words was hard for him, especially when he saw a hint of hurt blossom in her eyes.
“It was the hard choice, but it was the right one. I would have stayed on the island with you, but I would have been a distraction from the time you shared with your mother, and though I’ve always loved you, I loved my time with Michelle as well and the daughter we have together.” Frank hesitated as he looked into her eyes. “I hope you can understand that.”
“I do, of course I do.” She touched his cheek and smiled as she held his gaze. “In all the time I thought of you, I never hoped that you were alone. I hoped that you had found someone wonderful to share your life with, someone who deserved a man as wonderful as you.”
“Do you mean that?” He turned his head and kissed her palm.
“Yes, I mean that.” She stroked his cheek. “I never stopped thinking that you were amazing, Frank.”
“Then why did you pull away from me?” He tightened his grasp around her waist, clutching her close, afraid that she might retreat again.
“Because I thought you couldn’t possibly still have feelings for me, I guess. I thought I would fall in love with you all over again and then you’d jet back off to your life and I’d be left here alone on this island again.” She shook her head. “You know what they say about this place—how magical it is, that everyone falls in love here. I’ve watched it happen over the years, again and again. But never to me. I knew it was because I’d given up my one great love, but that didn’t make it any easier.”
“I’m sure it didn’t.” He frowned as he kissed her cheek. “I wish you hadn’t been alone.”
“I don’t.” She smiled as she met his eyes again.
“You don’t?”
“All that time I spent on my own, certain that I’d never feel the way I did when I was with you, makes this moment that much sweeter. Because I feel it again, Frank, even though it scares me and even though I’m not sure what it
means. I do feel it again.”
“I feel it too.” He tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear, then traced his fingertips along the curve of her cheek.
As he reached the slope of her chin, he guided her lips toward his. Slowly, he leaned into the kiss, uncertain whether she would welcome it. Before he could meet her lips, she crushed them against his in a kiss so passionate that it took his breath away.
Startled only for a second, he returned the kiss with equal desire. As she tangled her arms around him, he felt a rush of gratitude and ecstasy flow through him. He’d longed for this moment for so long and finally it was real.
She tugged him down on to the sofa beside her and neither paid any attention to the melting ice cream in the abandoned bowls on the coffee table.
When he finally pulled away from her, it was only to memorize the look in her eyes and the flush in her cheeks. It was just as beautiful as he recalled.
“How can it be like this between us?” She brushed his hair back from his eyes and smiled. “So intense after so long?”
“It feels like we’re picking up right where we left off.” He ran his fingertips along the length of her arm. “As if no time has passed at all.”
“But it has.” She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “So much time.”
“Not our time, GiGi, that hasn’t passed.” He kissed the top of her head. “Can’t we try again? See where it will lead?”
“What if it leads to heartbreak?” She tipped her head to the side to look at him. “What if we’re just not meant to be?”
“No matter what happens, there is one thing I’m certain about.” He met her eyes and smiled. “We will always be meant to be.”
“How can you be so sure?” She peered at him as a curtain of her hair fell across her face.
“Because.” He brushed the hair away and stroked her cheek as he did. “True love—it doesn’t fade, it doesn’t change—it’s forever. It doesn’t matter what choices we have made or will make in our lives, it will still be there.”
“I’d like to believe that.” She smiled.
Never Too Late: A Sweet Romance (The Magic of Love Isle Book 4) Page 5