The music dimmed as we wandered along the sand, replaced with the odd night bird calling out and distant waves washing against the reef. Her fingers wound firmly in mine, I managed not to think of anything but Sammie, the rest of the world blotted out for me.

I stopped once we were well away from everything, surprised by how far we had come, the tiki bar less than a warm glow behind us.

“Thank you for inviting me out tonight,” Sammie said softly as I turned her to face me.

I brushed my thumbs over her cheeks, tracing the line of her jaw. She nestled into my touch, my heart pounding as she turned her head to kiss my palm.

And in an instant, every thought that I wasn’t going to do more than have a great night out with a woman I had adored for years broke as I drew her close and bent to press my mouth to hers.