He grinned in admiration. “I didn’t know you were so feisty.”
“It’s my midwest upbringing. Don’t mess with me, buster.”
“I won’t.”
“That’s good. I’m much more accurate these days.”
“I’ll remember that.”
They sank deeper into the warm water. Garrett continued to move the sponge over her body.
“I still think you’re perfect,” he said softly.
She closed her eyes. “Even with my dark side?” she asked.
“Especially with your dark side. It adds an element of excitement.”
“I’m glad, because I think you’re pretty perfect yourself.”
* * *
The rest of their vacation flew by. In the mornings Theresa would go into work for a few hours, then come home and spend the afternoons and evenings with Garrett. In the evenings they would either order something in or head to one of the many small restaurants near her apartment. Sometimes they rented a movie to watch afterward, but usually they preferred to spend their time without other distractions.
On Friday night Kevin called from the soccer camp. Excitedly he explained that he’d made the all-star team. Though it meant more games would be played outside of Boston and they’d have to travel most weekends, Theresa was happy for him. Then, surprising her, Kevin asked to speak to Garrett. Garrett listened as he described what had happened that week and congratulated him. After hanging up, Theresa opened a bottle of wine and the two of them celebrated kevin’s good fortune until the early morning hours.
On Sunday morning—the day he was leaving—they had brunch with Deanna and Brian. Garrett saw immediately what Theresa loved about Deanna. She was both charming and amusing, and Garrett found himself laughing throughout his meal. Deanna asked him about diving and sailing, while Brian speculated that if he owned his own business, he’d never get anything done because golf would simply take over his life.
Theresa was pleased that they seemed to get along so well. Excusing themselves after they’d eaten, Deanna and Theresa headed together into the bathroom to chat.
“So, what do you think?” Theresa asked expectantly.
“He’s great,” Deanna admitted. “He’s even better looking than he was in the pictures you brought back.”
“I know. My heart skips a beat whenever I look at him.”
Deanna primped her hair, doing her best to add a little body to it. “Did your week turn out as well as you hoped?”
“Even better.”
Deanna beamed. “I could tell by the way he was looking at you that he really cares about you, too. The way you two act together reminds me of Brian and me. You seem like a good match.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”
Deanna took some lipstick out of her purse and began to apply it. “So, how did he like Boston?” she asked offhandedly.
Theresa took out her own lipstick as well. “It’s not what he’s used to, but he seemed to have enjoyed himself. We went to a lot of fun places.”
“did he say anything in particular?”
“No . . . why?” She looked at Deanna curiously.
“Because,” Deanna answered evenly, “I was just wondering if he’d said anything that might make you think he’d move here if you asked him to.”
Her comment made Theresa think about something she’d been avoiding.
“We haven’t talked about it yet,” she said finally.
“Were you planning to?”
The distance between us is a problem, but there’s still something else, isn’t there? she heard a voice inside her whisper.
Not wanting to think about it, she shook her head. “I don’t think it’s the right time—at least not yet.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “I mean—I know we have to talk about it sometime, but I don’t think we’ve known each other long enough to start making decisions about the future. We’re still getting to know each other.”
Deanna eyed her with motherly suspicion. “But you’ve known him long enough to fall in love with him, haven’t you?”
“Yes,” Theresa conceded.
“Then you know that this decision is coming, whether you want to face it or not.”
It took a moment for her to answer. “I know.”
Deanna put her hand on Theresa’s shoulder. “What if it comes down to losing him or leaving Boston?”
Theresa pondered the question and its implications. “I’m not sure,” she said quietly, and looked at Deanna uncertainly.
“Can I give you some advice?” Deanna asked.
Theresa nodded. Deanna led her out of the bathroom by the arm, leaning toward theresa’s ear so that no one could overhear them.
“Whatever you decide to do, remember that you have to be able to go forward in life without looking back. If you’re sure that Garrett can give you the kind of love you need and that you’ll be happy, then you have to do whatever it takes to keep him. True love is rare, and it’s the only thing that gives life real meaning.”
“But doesn’t the same thing apply to him? Shouldn’t he be willing to sacrifice as well?”
“Of course.”
“Then where does that leave me?”
“It leaves you with the same problem you had before, Theresa—one that you’re definitely going to have to think about.”
* * *
Over the next two months, their long-distance relationship began to evolve in a way that neither Theresa nor Garrett expected though both should have foreseen.
Working around each other’s schedules, they were able to get together three more times, each time for a weekend. Once, Theresa flew down to Wilmington so they could be alone, and they spent their time holed up in Garrett’s house, except for an evening they spent sailing. Garrett traveled to Boston twice, spending much of his time on the road for Kevin’s soccer tournaments, though he hadn’t minded. They were the first soccer games he’d ever attended, and he found himself caught up in the action more than he thought he would.
“How come you’re not as excited as I am?” he’d asked Theresa during one particularly frenzied moment on the field.
“why don’t you wait until you’ve seen a few hundred games, and then I’m sure you could answer your own question,” she’d replied playfully.
When they were together during those weekends, it was as if nothing else mattered in the world. Usually Kevin would spend one of the nights at a friend’s house so they could be alone, at least for a little while. They spent hours talking and laughing, holding each other close, and making love, trying to make up for weeks spent apart. Yet neither of them broached the subject of what was going to happen to their relationship in the future. They lived moment to moment, neither of them exactly sure of what to expect from the other. Not that they weren’t in love. Of that, at least, they were certain.
But because they didn’t see each other very often, their relationship had more ups and downs than either of them had experienced before. Since everything felt right when they were together, everything felt wrong when they weren’t. Garrett, especially, found himself struggling with the distance between them. Usually the good feelings he’d had when they saw each other lasted for a few days afterward, but then he’d find himself growing depressed as he anticipated the weeks before he saw her again.
Of course, he wanted them to spend more time together than was possible. Now that summer had passed, it was easier for him to get away than it was for her. Even with most of the employees gone, there wasn’t much to do around the shop. But Theresa’s schedule was completely different, if only because of Kevin. He was in school again, he had tournaments on the weekends, and it was difficult for her to break away, even for a few days. Although Garrett was willing to visit Boston to see her more often, Theresa simply didn’t have the time. More than once he’d suggested another trip up to see her, but for one reason or another, it hadn’t worked out.