He watched her walk away from him, her soft hair bouncing on her back as she strode down the shore. He stood there and wondered if he should follow her or give her space. He wasn't sure what she expected him to do, and he felt bad not having her by his side. It was almost like a missing limb.
The sun started setting and cast a soft, reddish light that he knew Sharon loved. She came to a stop, about 15 steps away from him, and turned towards the waves, taking two steps into the water. The wind played with her hair and Andy watched as she threw her head back and stretched her arms to her sides, her eyes closing and her lips spreading as a big wave crashed into her, the foam majestically spreading around her slender form. It was a sight to behold and Andy's feet carried him towards her. As he came nearer, he noticed her lips curving upwards and the serene expression that spread across her face. She was beautiful.
He stood next to her at first before he let his arm come around her waist and pull her towards him. The floral summer dress she was wearing was damp, but not completely soaked and Andy could smell the saltiness of her skin as he pulled her down for a kiss. Her lips were salty and he found it unexpectedly arousing. She pulled away and looked into his eyes.
"I would miss these moments with you," she said, her voice breathy. "If I took the security job."
"So you're giving it up?" Andy wondered. She bit her bottom lip and nodded.
"I know you and my kids all think I should take the job, but I don't want to. Everything I really need is here, in LA, and…" she paused and looked at Andy with such a melancholic gaze that he felt tears rising in his eyes.
"And?" he prompted her.
"I have been so lonely in the last 2 decades. With Jack being gone, and especially after my kids left the nest, I didn't have anyone to hold me when I really needed it. And I didn't even realize how much I craved it until you walked into my life, and swept me off my feet," she let out a soft chuckle and Andy noticed the soft blush that spread across her face. "If I turned the job down, I'd be losing a great career opportunity, but I have so much more to lose if I accept it."
"I'm going to support any decision you make," Andy said. "You've been holding yourself back for others' sake for so long. It's time for you to do what makes you happy."
"You make me happy, and so does Rusty, and both of you are in LA, so that's where I will be," Sharon replied and her hand came to his cheek, caressing it softly. "I love you so much, Andy," her voice was soft and she looked almost shocked with the words that came out of her mouth. Andy felt his heart galloping inside his chest. Even though he sort of assumed that she felt the same towards him as he felt for her, they've never admitted their love to each other. He wasn't sure what they were waiting for, but he assumed it just never was the right time to say it. He felt his eyes filling with tears again and he took a deep breath and smiled at her.
"You have no idea for how long I've been waiting to hear you say these words," he confessed.
"I may have waited for too long to say them," Sharon replied. "And to hear them."
"I love you too, Sharon," Andy said and felt Sharon's lips pressing against his just as another wave crashed into them.
"Though the sea will be strong
I know we'll carry on
'Cause if there's somebody calling me on
She's the one."
~ She's The One - Robbie Williams ~
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