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Our eyes catch, and I know that both of us are thinking about that ht

Eain I scoot back in eous scenery outside the boat--instead of the ht here in front of ht fades into a dusky pale sky, the shoreline turning to dark shadows against the dark water I let thethat after all these years, I’ain

I smile toaway in the back of et to be with him, out here on the ocean, away fro back on shore

"What are you s , self-conscious "You Us" I quickly realize myhere, right now… It’s… nice, is all I’ I hope E ahead of myself One date doesn’tflickers across E of badat lances down to check his watch "Three rin "And then I promise you, ‘nice’ will be the last word on your ht" Emerson shoots back with a sh So about this--about falling into bed with hiain, when I know that it’ll rob me ofso easy about it, a natural banter like we’ve always been laughing and talking together Like there’s never been any darkness between us

My thoughts are interrupted by a ruI had breakfast, -over back in the city with Lacey?

Ehs "Nearly there"

We sail for another five minutes or so, until we reach a secluded cove It’s a beautiful spot: sheltered fro of rocks, with the beach visible in the distance Eently on the evening tide

He fetches up the ha theet comfortable, and he handsup oes blank Everything I could say sees? To the past? To ht

"How about, to unexpected reunions?" Eests, when I don’t answer

I take a quick breath of relief "To unexpected reunions," I echo, clinking ainst his

E into the delicious meal We chat easily – simple, no-conflict topics like hoe’ve spent the last few years: the trips we’ve taken, how school is going forup, shouldn’t you be back at school?" Emerson frohen I tell him about my unofficial study leave

"I don’t need to be there until the actual exaht all raduate"

"Then what?" Eive an aard shrug "I don’t know I thought I had it all figured out," I explain "I was going to move up to DC, with Daniel"

"Daniel" Emerson repeats it slowly "So that’s his nauy, and already it’s like I’ve forgotten about hi else in the world, like we’re the only people who have ever existed for each other

I shakeback on thepatiently for answers "Anyways, I guess that’s off now, so…" I trail off, realizing for the first time that it wasn’t just s off, it was my whole entire life plan The apartment, the job, thefor raduation, but now?

Now, there’s just a blank slate And it scares the crap out of ulp down the rest of htly "You never thought about getting out of town?"

E "I never really had the choice I mean, Brit and Ray Jay needed sorown up now," I point out

He snorts "Debatable Brit’s still leaving shit all over et a new place, but… it doesn’t happen"