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They stood together, the cascading sunset glorious behind the hands quietly

“I wish things could be different,” Steph said

Mehdi nodded “I wish I had known about you sooner I e rin

Steph smiled “I’d have liked that very much”

“I can have you flown back in the helicopter and driven back to your hotel,” Mehdi said, and Steph sighed

The spell was broken It was time to face the music

They walked back, still holding hands, to the cabana, where Steph dressed once again and then followed Mehdi toward the an to twinkle overhead Steph waited as Mehdi called the helicopter pilot and arranged for a car to meet her when she returned to El Farah’s mainland Then he turned to her and led the way to the helicopter pad

When they reached the helicopter, Mehdi faced Steph once again

“If you change your mind, Steph, I ait for you I ait on the beach just outside the city tomorrow at sunset”

Unable to hold back, Steph stood on her tiptoes and kissed him one last time

The helicopter pilot arrived, ending their final er before she stepped into the helicopter and strapped herself in, watching hiround, his head lifted as he watched her fly out of sight