the small side table next to the two-seater sofa under the window.
“Sure.” Ramah picked up the box and brought it back to me.
I wiped my face and gathered myself together before continuing, “I’m so scared. I’ve been hurt before. Really hurt by my ex-husband. I know it was just a kiss with Kyle, but after the wonderful night we had, I’m afraid that if he kisses me and I let myself feel anything, I’ll end up getting hurt again. I mean, I do feel something already…” I blurted, leaving a huge chunk out that would only horrify Ramah. There was no point in letting her in on all the gory details when I’d probably already told her too much. I’d never spoken about it to anyone other than my parents and closest friends.
Ramah held me for a few minutes not saying anything, just comforting me, rubbing circles on my back.
When my sobs eased somewhat, Ramah spoke. “My dear Dakota. I could tell there was much sadness in your eyes and your heart. I sense these things. You don’t need to feel afraid or ashamed of where you have come from. I’m so sorry that you’ve been hurt before. I’m lucky to have a man who adores me. You can’t let this spoil the rest of your life, though. If you don’t let it go now, here on this island, where you are able to, you will carry it with you forever. It will make you bitter and resentful of all men. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut instincts and allow nature to take its course. Kyle is a wonderful person and I think he’s realizing that you are, too. I saw the way he looked at you this evening. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. My dear, it would be a sad shame if you let your past determine your future happiness. You need to open yourself up to the possibility of a wonderful time here on this island with a wonderful man. Let go of your hurt. You are safe now.”
“It’s so hard…”
“I know. You deserve to be happy, though. You deserve all the good things in life. You’re beautiful and it would be such a waste if you didn’t have that special someone show you just how much. Who knows where one kiss will lead, but if you don’t find out, you’ll rob yourself of any chance at happiness.”
I knew Ramah was right. The pain would continue if I let it. The only way to let it go was to face it head on and move forward. I was worthy of love. I wanted to find someone special, and whether or not that would be Kyle didn’t matter. The next man that came along would be incapable of reaching me. It had to stop right here and right now. I couldn’t let John win.
I hugged Ramah again long and hard and drew on some of her strength. Everything would be okay. It had to be.
“Now,” added Ramah, taking control of the situation. “I happen to know where there’s a confused young man, sitting on the sand down at the water’s edge. Go and apologize and say good night properly.”
Feeling like a child being given instructions by a parent, I stood up and pulled myself together, walking over to the mirror on the closet to check and see what I must surely look like after my meltdown.
“But what do I say to him?”
Holy crap! My eyes were swollen and my cheeks were blotchy. Not to mention the hair around my face had mixed with my tears and now clung to my temples like jagged claws. I listened to Ramah’s answer as I dug into my cosmetic bag to apply some concealer and fresh foundation and mascara.
“Just tell him the truth. If you don’t want to go into great detail, then just let him know you’ve been hurt in the past and you panicked when he went to kiss you. Honesty is the best policy.”
Where did Ramah get such wisdom? I hardly knew this woman giving me advice, yet in the short time since my arrival, we had bonded. She really cared and wanted to help. I was so grateful for that.
Pulling my hair back and re-tying it, I guessed I was as good as I was going to get tonight.
I walked over to Ramah and gave her a hug. “Thank you. I really mean it. I don’t
“Sure.” Ramah picked up the box and brought it back to me.
I wiped my face and gathered myself together before continuing, “I’m so scared. I’ve been hurt before. Really hurt by my ex-husband. I know it was just a kiss with Kyle, but after the wonderful night we had, I’m afraid that if he kisses me and I let myself feel anything, I’ll end up getting hurt again. I mean, I do feel something already…” I blurted, leaving a huge chunk out that would only horrify Ramah. There was no point in letting her in on all the gory details when I’d probably already told her too much. I’d never spoken about it to anyone other than my parents and closest friends.
Ramah held me for a few minutes not saying anything, just comforting me, rubbing circles on my back.
When my sobs eased somewhat, Ramah spoke. “My dear Dakota. I could tell there was much sadness in your eyes and your heart. I sense these things. You don’t need to feel afraid or ashamed of where you have come from. I’m so sorry that you’ve been hurt before. I’m lucky to have a man who adores me. You can’t let this spoil the rest of your life, though. If you don’t let it go now, here on this island, where you are able to, you will carry it with you forever. It will make you bitter and resentful of all men. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut instincts and allow nature to take its course. Kyle is a wonderful person and I think he’s realizing that you are, too. I saw the way he looked at you this evening. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. My dear, it would be a sad shame if you let your past determine your future happiness. You need to open yourself up to the possibility of a wonderful time here on this island with a wonderful man. Let go of your hurt. You are safe now.”
“It’s so hard…”
“I know. You deserve to be happy, though. You deserve all the good things in life. You’re beautiful and it would be such a waste if you didn’t have that special someone show you just how much. Who knows where one kiss will lead, but if you don’t find out, you’ll rob yourself of any chance at happiness.”
I knew Ramah was right. The pain would continue if I let it. The only way to let it go was to face it head on and move forward. I was worthy of love. I wanted to find someone special, and whether or not that would be Kyle didn’t matter. The next man that came along would be incapable of reaching me. It had to stop right here and right now. I couldn’t let John win.
I hugged Ramah again long and hard and drew on some of her strength. Everything would be okay. It had to be.
“Now,” added Ramah, taking control of the situation. “I happen to know where there’s a confused young man, sitting on the sand down at the water’s edge. Go and apologize and say good night properly.”
Feeling like a child being given instructions by a parent, I stood up and pulled myself together, walking over to the mirror on the closet to check and see what I must surely look like after my meltdown.
“But what do I say to him?”
Holy crap! My eyes were swollen and my cheeks were blotchy. Not to mention the hair around my face had mixed with my tears and now clung to my temples like jagged claws. I listened to Ramah’s answer as I dug into my cosmetic bag to apply some concealer and fresh foundation and mascara.
“Just tell him the truth. If you don’t want to go into great detail, then just let him know you’ve been hurt in the past and you panicked when he went to kiss you. Honesty is the best policy.”
Where did Ramah get such wisdom? I hardly knew this woman giving me advice, yet in the short time since my arrival, we had bonded. She really cared and wanted to help. I was so grateful for that.
Pulling my hair back and re-tying it, I guessed I was as good as I was going to get tonight.
I walked over to Ramah and gave her a hug. “Thank you. I really mean it. I don’t
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