42097609460

“You are special,” he said.
“I’m serious,” she said. “But it makes me wonder why you never
found someone else. Since your wife passed away, I mean.”
“I haven’t been looking,” he said. “But even if there was someone
else, I would have dumped her so I could be with you instead.”
“That’s not nice.” She poked him in the ribs.
“It’s true, though. Believe it or not, I’m picky.”
“Yeah,” she said, “real picky. You only go out with emotionally
scarred women.”
“You’re not emotionally scarred. You’re tough. You’re a survivor.
It’s actually kind of sexy.”
“I think you’re just trying to flatter me in the hopes I’ll rip off your
clothes.”
“Is it working?”
“You’re getting closer,” she admitted, and the sound of his
laughter reminded her again how much he loved her.
“I’m glad you ended up in Southport,” he said.
“Uh-huh.” For an instant she seemed to disappear inside herself.
“What?” He scrutinized her face, suddenly alert.
She shook her head. “It was so close…” She sighed, hugging her
arms around herself at the memory. “I almost didn’t make it.”