Theme song: I'll Be There For You (Rembrandts) – yeah, it's the Friends theme…
Susan could feel her skin burning. But man was that a good feeling. Moving would be wise but it wasn't going to happen. She gave up reading and put the open book across her face to keep the sun off.
"I didn't know you were shortsighted." Mark stood over her dripping.
"Hey, you're blocking my sun."
"You'll thank me for it later." He sat down. "As long as you're spit-roasting, you should turn over."
"I know. I was thinking about it." she put the book back in her bag and rolled onto her side. "Nice swim?"
"Beautiful." He lay back on the towel he'd just spread out beside her. "I'd recommend it."
"Maybe later. I'm toasting nicely."
He handed her the sun block, which she deposited in her bag without using.
"You're crazy."
"Na, I never burn."
"Good for some." He leant over her to get the sun block back. "Sorry, blocking your sun." he sat back down.
She hadn't minded at all…
"Don't suppose you could do my back?"
"Sure." She sat up and took the bottle. "So, once we're red and crispy, can we go exploring some of your old haunts?"
"You're already red and crispy." He tried to ignore her hands on his shoulders, roaming over his back with electric heat.
"This is true."
"Well I'm keen." He swiveled back to face her as she finished.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"So you haven't decided yet?"
"How do you do that?" he picked up his towel, shaking the sand off it and into the wind which covered her in it.
"Hey!"
"Oh, sorry."
She was laughing, "Don't worry." She tried to brush the sand off but it decided to stick stubbornly.
"Oh, you're going to have to swim."
"You might be right." She dropped her towel and looked at the waves. Be brave, she told herself. It had been a while since she'd swum in the sea. "Okay." She took a deep breath and took off toward the breakers.
Mark dropped his towel and followed her, jogging past her into the shallows. "See, it's beautiful."
"It's freezing." She was up to her knees and struggling.
"It's all relative." He splashed her.
"Hey!" she splashed him back but it was half-hearted and barely touched him.
He grinned at her, holding his hands out beckoning, challenging.
She shook her head.
He stepped closer and threatened to splash her again so she dived away. She came up gasping but the edge had gone off the cold. It was refreshing.
He was laughing at her, "That was too easy."
"I had no idea you were so competitive." She rolled her eyes.
"Whatever it takes." He swam over to her, flicking water in her face.
"Oh no you don't." she shook her head and grabbed his shoulders trying to dunk him. He stopped her easily, picking her up despite her struggling. He held her legs together at the knees with one arm, the other wrapped around her shoulders, holding her arms to her sides. She tried to ignore how much she was enjoying his touch. I mean he was about to throw her into the water. Hardly romantic.
But he didn't dunk her. He stopped just before her head went under and let go. He was playing with fire. This was ridiculous. He was setting himself up to accidentally say too much. The confession on his lips shocked him. "So, you ready to go?"
She looked at him confused at the sudden change of tone.
"Sure." She followed him, striding through the waves toward their towels.
"Check it out!" Susan ran her hand along the top of the cave, looking into the darkness as her eyes adjusted.
"Yeah," Mark followed boldly but not so cautiously and whacked his head on the top.
"You okay?" Susan turned to him.
He was blinking and rubbing his forehead and nodding all at the same time.
She smiled, "Let's see."
There was a small graze along his hairline – not bleeding but the skin was broken. She blew on it then pulled back from the intimacy of her action. "Are you okay?"
He just nodded, his skin tingling from her touch and her breath.
"I'll patch you up when we get back eh?"
He nodded, "Come on, I wonder how far this goes?" He took the lead, running his hand along the top of the cave so as not to hit his head again.
She laughed at him and followed. "We're going on a bear hunt."
"No bears in Hawaii. Sorry."
"Okay, bats?"
"I hope not." Mark turned back with a quirky grin, relieved that they could go on like nothing had happened, once again. It really was remarkable that he hadn't kissed her yet. They'd gotten ready for bed last night like an old married couple and then lay in bed and talked like teenagers. She'd looked hilarious with her hair every which way in the morning. He'd inadvertently smoothed one spike and kink as he reached past her to get his toothbrush in their tiny bathroom then apologized. But, damn, she smelt good. The warm and salty… and then some kind of mango shampoo really put the last nail in his coffin.
"Can't see a thing." She laughed. "Maybe we should come back with a torch."
Mark had a laser on his key ring – it didn't help much but the tiny red glow added an odd sort of ambiance.
"That's just spooky." She stopped beside him trying to see ahead.
He smiled at her. "Come on, let's get lunch and come back."
She nodded and led the way out.
"Mark sit still." He stopped buttering his bread and let her get at his head.
"Is it a mortal wound doctor?" he tried not to wince though he teased.
She smoothed the edges of a small square patch. "I think you'll live." She sat on the chair beside him.
"Good to know." He got back to his lunch with a goofy grin she found far-too-endearing. "So that treasure would be in the back of the cave right?"
"I reckon so. Wouldn't it be hilarious if we actually found something?"
"Like bones." He opened his eyes wide.
She laughed. She would never have done this if she'd come on her own. She would still be on the beach, hungry and thirsty and crustacean-like. She took a long gulp of her orange juice and leant back on her chair happily. "I'm thinking an afternoon nap would be about idyllic right now."
"Go for it. We can do the treasure hunt tomorrow – it's three o'clock."
She nodded. "Okay. Night night." She lay on her stomach on her bed. "Thank you for coming." She said sleepily.
Mark smiled and put away their lunch things then lay down on his bed and watched her sleep until he slept too.
"This is like something out of a movie." Susan let her eyes linger over the fairy lights strung above their heads then over to the beach where the sun was setting in true postcard style.
"Yeah, it's stunning." He hadn't taken his eyes off her.
She knew it and was trying to ignore the intensity. What did he want? If he wanted her why did he keep pulling away at the crucial moment? And if he didn't then why did that 'crucial moment' keep popping up? This whole pretending thing was getting exhausting.
Mark scraped the sauce off his plate, licking his fork. "I know it's bad manners but this is good."
"Go for it." she smiled taking a sip of the deep red wine. It was almost creamy caramel but not that sweet. She sighed contentedly. "I was thinking…"
"Yeah?"
"Shock horror." She jested.
"What were you thinking?" he smiled.
"Just about… oh you know, things. Like," she took a deep breath, "Like if you hadn't come then I probably wouldn't have left Phoenix."
"Sure you would, you're braver than you let on. Plus I'm sure the stranger beside you on the plane wouldn't mind you grabbing his hand."
She laughed, "That's not why, I mean that's part of it… but you know how… well it's just there's not a lot for me in Chicago anymore. You know what it was like when I had Suzie – like I suddenly had something to, well it sounds sad, but something to live for. Like someone I could really pour myself into. I'm not the kind of person who can live for work alone, you know?"
He nodded. "That's a good thing." He feared what was coming.
"Yeah, well, the thing is, I was thinking," she exhaled, "I mean moving is such a huge thing and I don't want to rush into it, but what's really keeping me in Chicago?"
He nodded. He understood what she meant. But he was terrified to speak – encouraging her, like he wanted to do because he truly wanted her to be happy, would be encouraging her to leave Chicago. He didn't want to think about it.
"Suzie doesn't need me like she did before, and I know that, but its nice to be needed like that and… I just don't want to miss anything, you know? I mean, she was like my own when Chloe left. And its better now I guess, but I… I want to see her grow up."
"I know what you mean."
Of course. Rachel. "Yeah, I guess you do. Suzie's not even mine."
"No, but you're willing to throw everything aside for her – that's admirable."
She took a deep breath, "I was thinking about what you said on the plane – about how some people you can live without and others, you just don't want to think about it."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah – and its not as if there's entirely nothing for me in Chicago. I don't want to leave. I just…"
"You want to be happy."
"Yeah. What's the secret?" she tried to laugh.
"You're asking me?"
She gave him a wry smile and took a deep breath. Maybe moving to Phoenix was a good idea. But right now she didn't want to think about it. "Want to dance?"
"Sure." He got up from his seat and took her hand. She was wearing a thin cotton dress that made her impossible to ignore. Damn…
"Should I go?" she asked quietly as they fell instep. She was trying to ignore the profound effect he had on her at this proximity but it wasn't working.
"I can't tell you what to do." He wanted to keep his head clear – incase this precarious conversation slipped into the confession never far from his lips. But she was so close and so warm and soft. He couldn't help but adore her and his head was far from clear.
"I know, but you are my friend and I value your opinion. What do you think?"
He exhaled and stepped back to look at her. He swallowed before he spoke, "I don't want you to go anywhere," be careful Mark, "but if going to Phoenix makes you happy, then…" he exhaled again.
She nodded and stepped into him so he couldn't see her face. This was dangerously intense. She wanted to tell him right then and there. The moment was perfect. She didn't want to ruin it but if she were considering leaving then she'd tell him the truth before she left. And now was as good a time as any… or not. She needed his friendship regardless of the rest of it, especially if she was leaving because he would be the hardest thing to leave behind.
"Don't rush into it." Mark looked her in the eye as the song faded.
"Yeah, I know." She smiled.
The band piped up their own rendition of the beach boy's 'God only knows'. Susan grinned at the lyrics. How convenient?
Mark laughed when he caught on, pulling her into a more playful dance, spinning her around and lip-synching. He wanted her to laugh.
She did.
He wished his heart would slow down a bit.
But it wouldn't.
The song ended and the band started 'somewhere over the rainbow'.
"I love this song." Mark pulled her closer again. Maybe this would be the most he'd ever have of her but he was going to enjoy her while he could. She was getting dearer every moment but he was in too deep now anyway.
"Me too." She held him close, cherishing the moment. Leaving was unthinkable at that moment. But she knew that when she was in her apartment alone she'd think differently. No. Don't think about it, she resolved to enjoy her holiday and leave the future for the future. Mark was singing along softly above her ear. She liked that.
The band finished their segment and the couples parted, returning to their tables.
"Do you want to walk back?" Mark asked. She was avoiding his eyes and he wished he could do something to put her mind at ease, whatever her decision. The thought of losing her was unbearable but to see her unhappy… that would be worse.
She nodded, "Let's walk along the beach." She slipped her shoes off and carried them down the steps to the cool sand.
Mark sat on the top step and undid his laces, put his socks in his shoes and carried them, jogging to catch her up.
They walked in silence, enjoying the stars, the moonlight, the lapping waves, the company.
"Sorry for putting a damper on the evening." Susan broke the silence.
"No, I'd prefer you to tell me what you're really thinking than pretend everything's fine."
She smiled at him gratefully, "Thank you. You're a real friend." She exhaled. "I would miss you." She bravely met his eyes, "A lot."
He stopped walking. No, don't say it. He tried to smile. "What would keep you in Chicago?" he dreaded she'd say 'nothing'.
She met his eyes without a clue what she'd say. She found something there that she wasn't ready for. Moonlight shone in his eyes, pleading for an answer and terrified of it at the same time.
"I don't want to leave." She whispered.
"So don't."
She barely heard him. But she did and nodded once, ever so slightly. "I just want something to give everything for." She turned back to continue walking and he followed.
"So fall in love." He offered like it was that easy.
She smiled. "Just like that."
"Why not?"
"Oh, I don't know. You can't just make yourself fall in love. It's almost as hard as making yourself stop loving someone."
"This is true." If only he could just stop loving her. If only it were that easy. He took a deep breath and tore his eyes from her.
They turned up the beach toward their hotel.
"Thank you for putting up with me." She tried to break the tension.
He laughed and shook his head. "It was hardly a burden."
"Thank you."
"No, you've put up with worse from me, so…"
She dropped her shoes outside the door and brushed the sand off her feet.
"You want a hot drink?"
"No, I think I'll just go to bed." She shook her head and her hair fell over her face.
He reached out to put it behind her ear but she beat him to it. "Sorry." He dropped his hand to his side awkwardly.
"Mark." She wanted him to look at her.
He did. "Sorry, I just…"
She shook her head. "What do you want?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Oh, nothing." She turned and when inside. Maybe she was just imagining things. But the look in his eyes when he'd asked her what would keep her from moving… and so many other unguarded moments when he pulled away at the crucial moment.
Mark dropped his shoes outside the door and brushed the sand off his feet. What was he doing? Playing with fire and about to get burned. What do you want? Part of him wished he could switch his character and kiss her impulsively. The character on his other shoulder insisted he keep his distance incase he fall again. And somewhere in the middle he realised he needed to tell her the truth. How and when, he wasn't sure, but he needed to tell her the truth.
"Are you awake?" Mark whispered as his head sunk into the pillow.
Susan laughed a little.
"What?"
"You sound like Chloe – we used to share a room and we'd always ask 'are you awake?' to see if the other was awake, and…" she realised it wasn't really funny, "Never mind."
He laughed at her. He wouldn't tell her tonight. No matter what response he got he wanted to do this properly. "Good night." He rolled over and shut his eyes, resolving to sleep.
Susan could feel her skin burning. But man was that a good feeling. Moving would be wise but it wasn't going to happen. She gave up reading and put the open book across her face to keep the sun off.
"I didn't know you were shortsighted." Mark stood over her dripping.
"Hey, you're blocking my sun."
"You'll thank me for it later." He sat down. "As long as you're spit-roasting, you should turn over."
"I know. I was thinking about it." she put the book back in her bag and rolled onto her side. "Nice swim?"
"Beautiful." He lay back on the towel he'd just spread out beside her. "I'd recommend it."
"Maybe later. I'm toasting nicely."
He handed her the sun block, which she deposited in her bag without using.
"You're crazy."
"Na, I never burn."
"Good for some." He leant over her to get the sun block back. "Sorry, blocking your sun." he sat back down.
She hadn't minded at all…
"Don't suppose you could do my back?"
"Sure." She sat up and took the bottle. "So, once we're red and crispy, can we go exploring some of your old haunts?"
"You're already red and crispy." He tried to ignore her hands on his shoulders, roaming over his back with electric heat.
"This is true."
"Well I'm keen." He swiveled back to face her as she finished.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"So you haven't decided yet?"
"How do you do that?" he picked up his towel, shaking the sand off it and into the wind which covered her in it.
"Hey!"
"Oh, sorry."
She was laughing, "Don't worry." She tried to brush the sand off but it decided to stick stubbornly.
"Oh, you're going to have to swim."
"You might be right." She dropped her towel and looked at the waves. Be brave, she told herself. It had been a while since she'd swum in the sea. "Okay." She took a deep breath and took off toward the breakers.
Mark dropped his towel and followed her, jogging past her into the shallows. "See, it's beautiful."
"It's freezing." She was up to her knees and struggling.
"It's all relative." He splashed her.
"Hey!" she splashed him back but it was half-hearted and barely touched him.
He grinned at her, holding his hands out beckoning, challenging.
She shook her head.
He stepped closer and threatened to splash her again so she dived away. She came up gasping but the edge had gone off the cold. It was refreshing.
He was laughing at her, "That was too easy."
"I had no idea you were so competitive." She rolled her eyes.
"Whatever it takes." He swam over to her, flicking water in her face.
"Oh no you don't." she shook her head and grabbed his shoulders trying to dunk him. He stopped her easily, picking her up despite her struggling. He held her legs together at the knees with one arm, the other wrapped around her shoulders, holding her arms to her sides. She tried to ignore how much she was enjoying his touch. I mean he was about to throw her into the water. Hardly romantic.
But he didn't dunk her. He stopped just before her head went under and let go. He was playing with fire. This was ridiculous. He was setting himself up to accidentally say too much. The confession on his lips shocked him. "So, you ready to go?"
She looked at him confused at the sudden change of tone.
"Sure." She followed him, striding through the waves toward their towels.
"Check it out!" Susan ran her hand along the top of the cave, looking into the darkness as her eyes adjusted.
"Yeah," Mark followed boldly but not so cautiously and whacked his head on the top.
"You okay?" Susan turned to him.
He was blinking and rubbing his forehead and nodding all at the same time.
She smiled, "Let's see."
There was a small graze along his hairline – not bleeding but the skin was broken. She blew on it then pulled back from the intimacy of her action. "Are you okay?"
He just nodded, his skin tingling from her touch and her breath.
"I'll patch you up when we get back eh?"
He nodded, "Come on, I wonder how far this goes?" He took the lead, running his hand along the top of the cave so as not to hit his head again.
She laughed at him and followed. "We're going on a bear hunt."
"No bears in Hawaii. Sorry."
"Okay, bats?"
"I hope not." Mark turned back with a quirky grin, relieved that they could go on like nothing had happened, once again. It really was remarkable that he hadn't kissed her yet. They'd gotten ready for bed last night like an old married couple and then lay in bed and talked like teenagers. She'd looked hilarious with her hair every which way in the morning. He'd inadvertently smoothed one spike and kink as he reached past her to get his toothbrush in their tiny bathroom then apologized. But, damn, she smelt good. The warm and salty… and then some kind of mango shampoo really put the last nail in his coffin.
"Can't see a thing." She laughed. "Maybe we should come back with a torch."
Mark had a laser on his key ring – it didn't help much but the tiny red glow added an odd sort of ambiance.
"That's just spooky." She stopped beside him trying to see ahead.
He smiled at her. "Come on, let's get lunch and come back."
She nodded and led the way out.
"Mark sit still." He stopped buttering his bread and let her get at his head.
"Is it a mortal wound doctor?" he tried not to wince though he teased.
She smoothed the edges of a small square patch. "I think you'll live." She sat on the chair beside him.
"Good to know." He got back to his lunch with a goofy grin she found far-too-endearing. "So that treasure would be in the back of the cave right?"
"I reckon so. Wouldn't it be hilarious if we actually found something?"
"Like bones." He opened his eyes wide.
She laughed. She would never have done this if she'd come on her own. She would still be on the beach, hungry and thirsty and crustacean-like. She took a long gulp of her orange juice and leant back on her chair happily. "I'm thinking an afternoon nap would be about idyllic right now."
"Go for it. We can do the treasure hunt tomorrow – it's three o'clock."
She nodded. "Okay. Night night." She lay on her stomach on her bed. "Thank you for coming." She said sleepily.
Mark smiled and put away their lunch things then lay down on his bed and watched her sleep until he slept too.
"This is like something out of a movie." Susan let her eyes linger over the fairy lights strung above their heads then over to the beach where the sun was setting in true postcard style.
"Yeah, it's stunning." He hadn't taken his eyes off her.
She knew it and was trying to ignore the intensity. What did he want? If he wanted her why did he keep pulling away at the crucial moment? And if he didn't then why did that 'crucial moment' keep popping up? This whole pretending thing was getting exhausting.
Mark scraped the sauce off his plate, licking his fork. "I know it's bad manners but this is good."
"Go for it." she smiled taking a sip of the deep red wine. It was almost creamy caramel but not that sweet. She sighed contentedly. "I was thinking…"
"Yeah?"
"Shock horror." She jested.
"What were you thinking?" he smiled.
"Just about… oh you know, things. Like," she took a deep breath, "Like if you hadn't come then I probably wouldn't have left Phoenix."
"Sure you would, you're braver than you let on. Plus I'm sure the stranger beside you on the plane wouldn't mind you grabbing his hand."
She laughed, "That's not why, I mean that's part of it… but you know how… well it's just there's not a lot for me in Chicago anymore. You know what it was like when I had Suzie – like I suddenly had something to, well it sounds sad, but something to live for. Like someone I could really pour myself into. I'm not the kind of person who can live for work alone, you know?"
He nodded. "That's a good thing." He feared what was coming.
"Yeah, well, the thing is, I was thinking," she exhaled, "I mean moving is such a huge thing and I don't want to rush into it, but what's really keeping me in Chicago?"
He nodded. He understood what she meant. But he was terrified to speak – encouraging her, like he wanted to do because he truly wanted her to be happy, would be encouraging her to leave Chicago. He didn't want to think about it.
"Suzie doesn't need me like she did before, and I know that, but its nice to be needed like that and… I just don't want to miss anything, you know? I mean, she was like my own when Chloe left. And its better now I guess, but I… I want to see her grow up."
"I know what you mean."
Of course. Rachel. "Yeah, I guess you do. Suzie's not even mine."
"No, but you're willing to throw everything aside for her – that's admirable."
She took a deep breath, "I was thinking about what you said on the plane – about how some people you can live without and others, you just don't want to think about it."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah – and its not as if there's entirely nothing for me in Chicago. I don't want to leave. I just…"
"You want to be happy."
"Yeah. What's the secret?" she tried to laugh.
"You're asking me?"
She gave him a wry smile and took a deep breath. Maybe moving to Phoenix was a good idea. But right now she didn't want to think about it. "Want to dance?"
"Sure." He got up from his seat and took her hand. She was wearing a thin cotton dress that made her impossible to ignore. Damn…
"Should I go?" she asked quietly as they fell instep. She was trying to ignore the profound effect he had on her at this proximity but it wasn't working.
"I can't tell you what to do." He wanted to keep his head clear – incase this precarious conversation slipped into the confession never far from his lips. But she was so close and so warm and soft. He couldn't help but adore her and his head was far from clear.
"I know, but you are my friend and I value your opinion. What do you think?"
He exhaled and stepped back to look at her. He swallowed before he spoke, "I don't want you to go anywhere," be careful Mark, "but if going to Phoenix makes you happy, then…" he exhaled again.
She nodded and stepped into him so he couldn't see her face. This was dangerously intense. She wanted to tell him right then and there. The moment was perfect. She didn't want to ruin it but if she were considering leaving then she'd tell him the truth before she left. And now was as good a time as any… or not. She needed his friendship regardless of the rest of it, especially if she was leaving because he would be the hardest thing to leave behind.
"Don't rush into it." Mark looked her in the eye as the song faded.
"Yeah, I know." She smiled.
The band piped up their own rendition of the beach boy's 'God only knows'. Susan grinned at the lyrics. How convenient?
Mark laughed when he caught on, pulling her into a more playful dance, spinning her around and lip-synching. He wanted her to laugh.
She did.
He wished his heart would slow down a bit.
But it wouldn't.
The song ended and the band started 'somewhere over the rainbow'.
"I love this song." Mark pulled her closer again. Maybe this would be the most he'd ever have of her but he was going to enjoy her while he could. She was getting dearer every moment but he was in too deep now anyway.
"Me too." She held him close, cherishing the moment. Leaving was unthinkable at that moment. But she knew that when she was in her apartment alone she'd think differently. No. Don't think about it, she resolved to enjoy her holiday and leave the future for the future. Mark was singing along softly above her ear. She liked that.
The band finished their segment and the couples parted, returning to their tables.
"Do you want to walk back?" Mark asked. She was avoiding his eyes and he wished he could do something to put her mind at ease, whatever her decision. The thought of losing her was unbearable but to see her unhappy… that would be worse.
She nodded, "Let's walk along the beach." She slipped her shoes off and carried them down the steps to the cool sand.
Mark sat on the top step and undid his laces, put his socks in his shoes and carried them, jogging to catch her up.
They walked in silence, enjoying the stars, the moonlight, the lapping waves, the company.
"Sorry for putting a damper on the evening." Susan broke the silence.
"No, I'd prefer you to tell me what you're really thinking than pretend everything's fine."
She smiled at him gratefully, "Thank you. You're a real friend." She exhaled. "I would miss you." She bravely met his eyes, "A lot."
He stopped walking. No, don't say it. He tried to smile. "What would keep you in Chicago?" he dreaded she'd say 'nothing'.
She met his eyes without a clue what she'd say. She found something there that she wasn't ready for. Moonlight shone in his eyes, pleading for an answer and terrified of it at the same time.
"I don't want to leave." She whispered.
"So don't."
She barely heard him. But she did and nodded once, ever so slightly. "I just want something to give everything for." She turned back to continue walking and he followed.
"So fall in love." He offered like it was that easy.
She smiled. "Just like that."
"Why not?"
"Oh, I don't know. You can't just make yourself fall in love. It's almost as hard as making yourself stop loving someone."
"This is true." If only he could just stop loving her. If only it were that easy. He took a deep breath and tore his eyes from her.
They turned up the beach toward their hotel.
"Thank you for putting up with me." She tried to break the tension.
He laughed and shook his head. "It was hardly a burden."
"Thank you."
"No, you've put up with worse from me, so…"
She dropped her shoes outside the door and brushed the sand off her feet.
"You want a hot drink?"
"No, I think I'll just go to bed." She shook her head and her hair fell over her face.
He reached out to put it behind her ear but she beat him to it. "Sorry." He dropped his hand to his side awkwardly.
"Mark." She wanted him to look at her.
He did. "Sorry, I just…"
She shook her head. "What do you want?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Oh, nothing." She turned and when inside. Maybe she was just imagining things. But the look in his eyes when he'd asked her what would keep her from moving… and so many other unguarded moments when he pulled away at the crucial moment.
Mark dropped his shoes outside the door and brushed the sand off his feet. What was he doing? Playing with fire and about to get burned. What do you want? Part of him wished he could switch his character and kiss her impulsively. The character on his other shoulder insisted he keep his distance incase he fall again. And somewhere in the middle he realised he needed to tell her the truth. How and when, he wasn't sure, but he needed to tell her the truth.
"Are you awake?" Mark whispered as his head sunk into the pillow.
Susan laughed a little.
"What?"
"You sound like Chloe – we used to share a room and we'd always ask 'are you awake?' to see if the other was awake, and…" she realised it wasn't really funny, "Never mind."
He laughed at her. He wouldn't tell her tonight. No matter what response he got he wanted to do this properly. "Good night." He rolled over and shut his eyes, resolving to sleep.