THE GIRL WHO STAYED FOR ONLY ONE SUMMER
Chapter 3
The first time Maya waited for Ethan outside the repair shop, he was surprised.
The second time, he expected her.
The third time, she was holding two coffees.
“You work too much.”
Ethan took one.
“You brought me coffee.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Thanks.”
She smiled.
They walked along the harbor.
Maya asked questions.
Not about his past.
Not about his father.
Not about the secrets that had once followed him.
She asked what boat he liked repairing.
Which diner pie was best.
Why Walter always shouted when he was happy.
Why Ethan never wore a watch.
Why he always looked at the ocean when he was thinking.
Ethan answered some.
Avoided others.
Maya didn’t push.
One evening, they sat on the beach.
The sky was orange.
The tide moved slowly over the sand.
Maya hugged her knees.
“Do you believe people come into your life for a reason?”
Ethan looked at her.
“Sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
“Sometimes people just come into your life.”
“And leave.”
“Usually.”
She looked at him.
“That doesn’t bother you?”
“It used to.”
“What changed?”
Ethan thought.
“I stopped believing everything had to last to matter.”
Maya was quiet.
The wind moved her hair across her face.
She tucked it behind her ear.
“I like that.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
She smiled.
Then leaned against his shoulder.
Ethan didn’t move.
He could feel her breathing.
Slow.
Warm.
Close.
For a man who had spent years keeping distance between himself and everyone else, it felt dangerous.
Not because she was dangerous.
Because she wasn’t.
