Ricardo holds Alicia's hand as they walk around the beach across from Morrison's apartment. "It's so nice here," she says. "I mean, I know it's not that much different, but it just... I can definitely tell the difference from Florida beaches, you know?"
He nods. "I grew up here, so I definitely know." He squeezes her hand and guides her towards the sand, sitting down by where the water licks up and tickles his feet. She settles in next to him and he sighs, wanting to touch her but not wanting to push things when she's still uncertain who she wants. On top of that, Noam Dar is creeping around and Ricardo doesn't like any of it, but it's her career, he can only do so much from his position outside of the WWE. He had considered taking her to his mother's, to meet his sister, play with the children, but it feels like too much, too soon. So the beach it had been.
Their flight the next day gives them a whole day with nothing to do but spend time with Mike and AJ, or each other, and they're so busy with the baby that neither want to be too much of an imposition so, after they'd all agreed on a time to go out somewhere to eat, Tamina had left to go shopping and Alicia and Ricardo had come here. "I'm just glad you can walk easier now," Alicia offers, leaning against him.
He closes his eyes as his heart speeds up at her presence. "I am too. Based on what the rehab specialist has told me, I might be able to start wrestling again in a month, if everything goes well." Her fingers slip into his, squeezing his hand, and he exhales shakily. "Alicia... please..."
She frowns and pulls away slowly. "Sorry. I just... I uh. I still like you and I hate seeing you in pain."
He nods. He stares down at their fingers, side by side, and finally grips her hand, squeezing it. "Just... uh, you know, I don't want to get my hopes up."
"I understand," she breathes. "You've been hurt enough, and that's the last thing I want to do. I just... can't shut my feelings off. For you, or for Cedric. But I'm not intending on making you feel like the other man or something."
"What about Noam Dar?" he asks carefully, watching her face.
She snorts, then laughs almost painfully. "I hate him!" she cries out, her voice echoing in the wind. "But he won't take the hint." She shakes her head and groans, dark eyes miserable and fixed on Ricardo's face. "I promise you, I'm not that easy. There's nothing between me and Noam. And Cedric and I... we haven't, we're not. Things aren't serious," she struggles to explain. "I haven't made my decision yet. As soon as I do, you'll be the first who knows."
He nods. Bites his lip and stares out at the sky as birds fly around, free and unburdened. He envies them until she grips his face and draws him back to look at her, gently kissing him on the lips. "Alicia..."
"Please, don't give up on me," she begs, tears in her eyes. "I can't stand that if you do..."
He hates this decision, he hates that he's tempted to tell her to just go be with Cedric, be happy and don't worry about him. But another kiss from her wrecks what remains of his conviction and he exhales shakily. "I never could give up on you," he admits lowly, eyes fluttering closed as she kisses him again, the sun warm against his skin and still paling in comparison to the feel of her.
