Page 179 of Silent Vows
"The beach," Dante says.
"Who else is there?" Enzo asks, rubbing the back of his head.
Dante's face hardens when he realizes who Enzo is looking for.
"We're very busy now. Goodbye," Dante says. He's about to hang up, but I giggle and snatch the phone away from him. I stand and walk toward Ida, ignoring Dante's complaints about how I'm supposed to be on his side.
I hand the phone to Ida, who starts blushing when she sees Enzo's face. She twirls a lock of dark hair around her finger as she talks to him.
"I'm not enjoying this night anymore," Dante exclaims, appearing behind me.
"But look at how happy he makes her," I say. "Have you ever seen your sister that happy?"
Dante huffs and turns toward me.
I stare at his face against the backdrop of the starry night.
"Happy birthday, Dante," I say, getting up on my tiptoes. "I can't wait to celebrate the rest of our birthdays together for the rest of our lives."
Over his shoulder, I see a silhouette in the dark.
I would recognize those red curls anywhere. It's the woman who gave me the tarot reading. Her words had given me strength at a time when I needed it most.
I smile at her. She waves back.
"What are you smiling at?" Dante glances over his shoulder.
I look at Dante, then back to where the red-haired woman was standing. She's not there anymore. I'm not even surprised by that.
I don't know if I'll see that woman again, but she'll have a fond place in my heart for the rest of my life.
"Dante," I say. "Kiss me."
He presses his lips to mine, gently at first, but then rocking my whole world. I see stars everywhere.
I feel love everywhere.
THE END.
