THE GIRL WHO STAYED FOR ONLY ONE SUMMER
Chapter 10
They walked along the beach after dinner.
The sky was clear.
Stars were visible above the ocean.
Maya took off her shoes.
Ethan did the same.
They walked barefoot through the cold sand.
“I wish we had met earlier.”
Ethan smiled.
“I don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because then we wouldn’t be us.”
She looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know.”
She laughed.
“You’re terrible at romantic speeches.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Less pressure.”
She leaned against him.
“Do you love me?”
The question stopped him.
Ethan looked at the ocean.
He could have lied.
He could have avoided it.
He had spent enough of his life avoiding difficult truths.
“Yes.”
Maya closed her eyes.
“Say it again.”
“I love you.”
She nodded.
“I love you too.”
The waves reached their feet.
Neither moved.
Maya rested her head against his chest.
“Why does this feel like goodbye?”
“Because it is.”
She began crying.
Ethan held her.
He didn’t tell her everything would be okay.
He didn’t promise they would find their way back.
He didn’t tell her to stay.
He simply held her until the tears stopped.
