Chapter Fifteen
985 Words
When we arrived at the harbor, I looked out the car window and saw couples all over the place. Some were in the water on their boats, and some were just sitting on the boardwalk watching. Ducks and geese were everywhere. Jumping to catch the bread being thrown at them. It was beautiful. Julian came around and opened my door. He reached for my hand to help me out the car. I was still looking at the water taking in the beauty of the sea, that I didn't realize I was still standing in the same spot.
"You okay?..... Leah?"
"Oh I'm sorry, it's just- very beautiful. I can't take my eyes off of it."
"Yeah it's really amazing."
"How did you know this was here?"
"I used to come here all the time with my little sister. But she died a couple years back." he said looking down.
"I'm sorry.. If you don't mind me asking, how did she die?"
"She was murdered. The police searched for the killer for years, but it became a cold case. I know they did everything they could, but it still didn't seem like enough, you know? When she died, I didn't know what to do. I tried coming here a few times, but it didn't seem right. It kind of made me feel worse. So I just stopped coming. This is the first time I've been here in 4 years." he said looking at the ocean.
"Well maybe we should go somewhere else. I don't want you to be uncomfortable Julian." I said trying to make contact with his eyes.
"No I'm okay. I want to be here... With you. I never thought I'd come back here, but Leah, you're special. And you being here with me right now, makes me feel okay." he said rubbing my hands.
"That's really sweet Julian." I said right before he grabbed my waist and pulled my body towards him to give me a kiss. It was so romantic. It felt like I was in a movie. It was so amazing. When he finally pulled his lips away from mine, he rubbed my cheek, and he was two inches from my face still holding my hand.
"Ready to go?" he whispered.
All I could do was nod.
When we got to the office of the Arbor, Julian went to the desk, but I went back outside to look at the ocean. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Laughter and smiles were everywhere. Shawn never wanted to do things like this with me. Never. I had gotten so used to staying in the house, I never knew what it felt like to get out and have fun. I know it may be wrong, but I was beginning to have feelings for Julian. Strong feelings.
As I was looking at the water, someone came up behind me and put their arms around my waist. I jumped really hard.
"Miss me?" he whispered in my ear. It was Julian. He started to kiss my cheek from behind me.
"Haha of course" I said laughing.
He turned me around and began to kiss me. Then he started to tickle me. I started to laugh and scream.
"Julian!!" I said trying to get away from him. Then I heard someone say,
"Look at that Harold." me and Julian both stopped and looked. It was a very old woman with a cane, and an old man was standing next to her holding her arm.
"It's so nice to see young love. Reminds me of us honey." she said with a shaking voice.
"You don't really see that nowadays. But you two are so cute. Have fun with each other while you're young. Make memories you'll never forget. Because before you know it, you'll be 87 and not able to do the things you want to do." she said with a smile holding our hands.
"Stay together. No matter what life throws at you. Because in the end, it'll all be worth it." she said ending her sentence looking at her husband.
"Thank you, that's very sweet ma'm." Julian said grabbing both of her hands smiling.
"Remember what I told y'all. No matter what, always remember what truly matters." she said looking in Julian's eyes, then in mine.
"Y'all have a good day." her husband said reaching for her hand.
"Well." Julian said exhaling with a smile.
"You ready?" he asked. I just nodded.
I kinda felt weird because Julian and I weren't even together and I didn't say anything about being married. I really felt guilty because in a way, I was cheating on my husband.
We got in our boat, and Julian began to paddle. He said women weren't supposed to paddle. I didn't argue with him because in the end, he was still gonna think that. We began to drift through the water, and sometimes Julian would take a break from paddling to feed the ducks and geese with me. It felt like we were the only people there in the arbor, and after a while, we were.
"What are they doing here?" I said smiling at him.
"I don't know... But they won't be here for long." he replied looking at the water.
"Why not?"
"They have to go back to their home Leah."
"Well they're so beautiful, I might have to go home with them." I said smiling at him.
"Well I don't think that would be fair.. You're beautiful, and I can't go home with you."
We both started laughing.
"You're amazing, you know that?"
"Leah, you're the one who's amazing. In every way possible."
We both just stared at each other. Then of course, he leaned in for a kiss. But this one, this one was different from the other times we kissed.
This time, I fell in love with him. And that was a big problem...
- Writer
