I awoke to the sound of a male voice talking. I opened my eyes to see a sleepy Luke mumbling. "Is he seriously talking in his sleep?" I say to myself quietly. I rub my eyes and realization hits me. I'm in bed with Luke! I throw off the covers and leap out of bed. The power seems to have come back on and his clock blinks an odd time. Awakened by my haste, Luke opens his eyes and sees me. He's still groggy and gives a light wave before yawning and turning his face the other way.

"Idiot," I mutter and I know he hears it because his back twitches with what can only be a laugh. I look for my clothes and find my shorts. They're a bit stiff but I slide them on over Luke's boxers and turn around and remove his shirt and slide mine on.

A husky voice mumbles behind me and a very tired Luke stretches and yawns, rubbing his eyes as he focuses on me. "Where are you going?"

"I need to get back. Kathy's probably worried about me," I toss his shirt onto a nearby chair. "I'll see you later." I make my way into the shop but a pair of strong arms stops me. "You haven't eaten yet."

"I'll eat at the bar," I say trying to sound natural. The events from last night swim through my mind and I feel myself blushing. I turn around to see a pair of gold eyes begging me to stay. "I have to go."

Luke leans down to kiss me but I turn away. "I'm sorry," I say and I see the hurt in his eyes. I hesitate for a moment but force myself to turn around and rush out the door. I start in at a quick pace until I reach the open field. I slow down into a walking pace. The look on Luke's face stays in my mind and I feel my heart ache. He confessed to me against last night and even kissed me and this is how I repay him? Running away because I'm unsure of how I feel?

I reach the town and it's quiet. Fishermen gather at the docks as usual but it seems many are still inside after last night's storm. The town is cluttered with seaweed and other random objects but nothing looks destroyed. I make it to the back of the bar and unlock the door with a spare key. No one's around so I quietly sneak my way about.

"Where have you been? I was worried sick about you!" Kathy has dark bags under her eyes. "I couldn't sleep at all. I thought something bad happened to you!"

"It's a long story," I say.

"Where were you? At least tell me that."

"I stayed at Luke's."

"Well I'm glad you're safe. Did he behave?" She winks at me and I feel myself getting red.

"He was his usual self." It's partially true.

"You're hiding something. Spill the beans!" She grabs my hand and pulls me into her room. She pats the bed and we both sit. "There's nothing to spill," I lie.

"You spend the night at a man's house and you're saying nothing happened? I know Luke and he would definitely try something."

"Fine, you win." I pause for a moment. "We kissed. Well, he kissed me. Well I kissed him first, only it was an accident, and then, well you get the point."

She beams at me. "So you didn't reject him?"

I look down at my hands and imagine the sad look on Luke's face as I left. "I think I did this morning."

"What? You spend the night with him after he kisses you and you reject him? I don't get it. Do you like him or not?"

"I don't know," I say. "He started talking about our past and I just couldn't remember much. I felt horrible. I felt like I couldn't be with someone I can't remember making promises to or even keeping them. I completely forgot about him." I bury my face into my palms and I feel tears start to fall down my cheeks. "He's loved me ever since we were little and waited ten years for me to return, if I was ever to return. Do you know how hard that is to hear?"

I continue to cry and Kathy pulls me into a tight hug. "It's okay. Don't beat yourself up over it. You came back didn't you?"

"I did but honestly I might not have. I could have met someone in my city and married them or even move farther away."

"He could easily do the same. For all you know, he could have moved on too if he chose to. He had the chance last summer." Kathy stops herself after finishing her sentence.

"What are you talking about?"

"There was a girl who came to the bar on weekends. Her name was Selena. Luke and Owen would come here during that time and Selena and Luke looked like they were a match made in heaven. Selena wanted Luke to return home with her but he said he couldn't. He never gave her a real reason and so she left confused. He continued coming to the bar but he didn't seem phased by Selena's absence. I guess he stayed behind in case you came back."

"That idiot," I mumble. "How can someone have that much hope."

"That's Luke for you. He's always optimistic. I envy him sometimes," Kathy laughs and I can't help but laugh with her.

"I've made a horrible mistake. I need to go." I stand up and run to my room. Kathy stands in the doorway as I remove my shorts. "Is that-" Before she finishes I nod.

"It's all that fit me," I say and grab a pair of sweats and pull them over Luke's boxers. I remove my shirt and grab a clean one from my closet. I tie my hair up into a ponytail and grab a pair of shoes and quickly slide them on.

"What's the rush? It's not like he's leaving anytime soon," Kathy follows me as I make my way towards the front door. Just as I open it, Luke stands in the doorway looking baffled. "Can we talk?" He says and I feel Kathy watching us. "Outside," I say and nudge Luke as I close the door.

"I know last night was a bit awkward but-" I cut off the rest of Luke's words as I press my lips to his. I hold them there for what feels like ages until I pull away and he looks at me with those wide golden eyes of his. "What was that for?"

"You idiot." I say with a smile. "I'm sorry I ran off this morning. I just wasn't sure how I felt but after thinking, I've realized something."

"Yeah?" Luke looks at me, his hand scratching the back of his head. I lean in close to him and tilt my head up to his. I reach up to grab his bandana and turn around holding it in the air. "You'll have to catch me first to find out!" I yell and take off jogging down the pier. The bandana slips through my fingers as Luke snatches it. "Gotcha!" he wraps a free arm around my waist and holds the bandana out of reach. "I've got you now, so you better fess up."

I light press my palms to his chest and stare at the hem of his shirt. "I know I promised you that I'd return and I'm sorry it took me so long but I'm here now and I don't plan on going anywhere. I'm staying here, with you."