At the end of the day, I’m counting out the till when the bell above the store door rings and Tom walks in.

To my surprise, he’s dressed casually, in a white T-shirt, black jacket, and denim jeans; no Rolex. He looks hot. My hands grow clammy. Even though our last two meetings have been disastrous, my body still reacts whenever Tom walks in a room.

I’m wearing an emerald-green blouse and blue jeans, my hair pulled back into a single braid. I haven’t touched up my makeup or dressed up this time. I think it’s about time that Tom and I got real with each other. It was a wonderful online romance, but now this is real life, and all disguises have to go.

“Hi, Tom. You’re looking good.”

“So are you.”

I smile. “You said we were going somewhere informal, right? I thought my work clothes would do.”

“Absolutely. You look great.”

“Let me just close up the store, and we can head out.”

I can feel Tom’s eyes following me as I complete my final few chores. He waits patiently, that intoxicating scent of his cologne making my heart race even when I’m not looking at him.

Finally, keys in hand, I’m ready to go. Tom leads the way to his flashy silver Mercedes, and we set off.

“Where are we going?”

Tom grins. “Somewhere fun.”

“It’s a secret, huh?”

“A surprise.”

I smile. “You seem different today.”

He glances across at me. “Do I?”

“More relaxed.”

“Must be the sea air.”

I sink back into the soft leather passenger seat. I’m hopeful that this evening won’t be a disaster, like the rest of the time we’ve spent together since Tom arrived in Maine.

“We used to spend days at the beach. Do you remember?” I look over at him after I ask.

“Of course. You and Laura used to read those gossip magazines for hours.”

“While you and Mike threw a ball around, trying to pick up girls.”

“It worked, didn’t it? Mike certainly caught Laura’s eye.”

“They were so good together.”

We both fall into silence. It’s still hard to remember good times with Mike. He was always more Tom’s friend than mine, but I grew closer to him once he started dating Laura. We were close.

“It’s a shame you and Mike lost touch.”

Tom lets out a long breath and nods. “One of the many, many things I regret.”

“At least you’re here now.”

He smiles at me. “Let’s hope Christmas gives me enough time to make some amends. I’ve been away too long.”

“Why’s it taken you so long to come back here?”

He looks over at me from the driver’s side. “I’ve told you all this before.”

He’s talking about our messages.

“You said you didn’t feel at home with your family anymore. You felt like the black sheep.”

Tom clears his throat. I could swear I see the slightest blush rising up his neck. He nods tensely. “Not something I would have said if I’d have known I was speaking to you. I would never want to hurt Laura’s feelings. I know how hard she tries to keep me close.”

“She loves you.”

“I know. But I’m not the person she wants me to be.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not the sentimental, doting uncle and brother she dreams about. It’s not in me to act that way. God knows, I try. But I never seem to get it right.”

“The toy boat?”

Tom laughs. “Why am I not surprised you know about that? Laura really does tell you everything.”

“We’re close.”

“But you and I are, too.”

There’s that flutter in my chest again. I look over to Tom. He’s staring straight ahead at the road, but by the way his grip is tightening and loosening steadily on the wheel, I can tell the conversation is touching on some sensitive subjects.

If I’d never met my mystery man in real life, then I would have told anybody I felt as close to him as Laura, who knew me inside out. No matter what’s happened between us since, I have to keep reminding myself that Tom is that man. He knows my secrets, and I know his.

“This was a good idea, some time together before Laura leaves. I want us to be on the same page.”

“Me, too. A fresh start?”

“I’d like that.”

Tom pulls into a parking lot. I look out the window and see that he’s taken us to Maine State Aquarium.

I grin. “Fish? This seems a bit low-key for Thomas Vermont!”

“Forget Thomas Vermont. Forget TJ. Today, I’m Tom. The man you’ve been speaking to online. The person you know inside out.” He smiles at me.

I melt. For the first time, I feel like I’m looking at my mystery man, and not some stranger who occasionally reminds me of my online flame.

Remember all his flaws, Zoe. Tread carefully.

We head toward the aquarium. As we get closer, I see the opening times posted on the door. It shuts at five.

“Looks like it’s closed, Tom.” I offer him an understanding smile. “Never mind. There’re plenty of other things we can do.”

Tom smiles at me and takes my hand. “I once promised you the night of your life. Maybe tonight’s that night.”

He leads me toward the doors. As we approach, a staff member rushes to open it.

“Mr. Vermont! It’s a pleasure to have you with us this evening. The aquarium is all yours. Please do let us know if there’s anything at all we can get for you. You’ll find champagne waiting for you at the start of the trail.”

I look up at Tom in surprise. “You’ve booked it all for us?”

He bows his head. He almost looks nervous. “I hope it’s not too much? I didn’t want to come across as arrogant, but I also wanted to make this a special night. A lot more like we imagined it before everything started to unravel.”

It is too much. Staff on call, a whole aquarium all to ourselves, champagne on demand. But it’s also very sweet.

“You remembered.”

Tom smiles. “Your ninth birthday. Yes, I remembered.”

It was a story relayed during our many messages, about a birthday I’d had as a child. I told him all about how amazed I’d been at all the sea creatures, and how the visit had made me want to become a marine biologist—until my parents had taken me to the Botanical Gardens the next year, and I’d decided I loved flowers even more.

“I love it.”

It isn’t the expense or exclusivity that means the most to me about Tom’s choice of venue, but more the thought that’s gone into it. It proves that everything we shared before Tom came to Maine wasn’t my imagination, and was real. Maybe it’s still alive.

The aquarium isn’t a large or flashy place. It’s a small hexagonal building with a blue roof on West Boothbay Harbor. It’s meant for children more than adults, but as soon as I enter, nostalgia fills me. There are tanks filled with starfish and lobsters, and the little rock pools full of sea creatures that you can touch, all in one room.

We pick up a glass of champagne from a small table as we leave the reception area and enter the main Aquarium. I notice that the speakers aren’t playing their usual soothing tunes, but rather some soft, romantic songs. I don’t mention the choice of playlist to Tom, but I smile to myself. He’s planned it all.

“It seemed so much bigger when I was a kid.”

“Are you disappointed?”

I touch his arm. “Of course not.” I catch sight of the lobsters in their little rock pool and pull Tom after me toward the exhibit. “Look! Lobsters!”

I reach into the water and softly stroke the back of one. Tom looks over my shoulder.

“Are you going to try?” I urge him.

Tom laughs and shakes his head. “I might skip these guys.”

“What, you only like lobsters for dinner?”

His eyes narrow into a playful squint, and his lips twist into a grin at the challenge. He takes off his jacket and lays it over one of the nearby placards. He approaches the pool and dips both hands under the water.

Carefully, he scoops up the lobster. It’s brown and shiny, with huge claws, which it waves around as he draws it out. “He’s fierce!”

“Are you going to hold him?” Tom holds up the lobster toward me, and I squeal.

“No! It looks mean.”

Tom chuckles. “Now who’s the wuss!”

Giggling, I spot another creature. “Now, here’s one I’ll hold.” I pluck out the starfish from the bottom of the tank and stroke one of its five legs. It feels strange against my hand, and I almost drop it when it squirms suddenly.

Tom laughs and takes it from me, placing it back in the water. “I thought you loved all these sea-things?”

“I love the way they look.”

We move toward another tank, and Tom crouches down to peer in. He’s staring at a giant gray slug. “Look at this ugly guy.”

I kneel beside him. “Ah, the noble sea cucumber.”

Tom laughs loudly, grinning at me. “There’s no way that’s what it’s called.”

“You’ve never heard of it?”

“Never.”

“Uh-huh.” I cast him a teasing glance. “So, there is something you don’t know.”

“There are many things I don’t know,” he replies, suddenly pulling me close. “Like how a gorgeous woman like you, with the guts to hold a terrifying starfish, is still single.”

I’m face-to-face with Tom, closer than I’ve ever been. The top of my head only just reaches his chin. He’s the perfect height.

His hands are on my hips, only resting gently, but feeling so strong. Tom’s self-assurance can so quickly go from being the worst thing about him to the most attractive. There’s something incredibly sexy about a handsome, confident man taking you in his arms. If only he could learn when to draw the line.

Right now, there’s no line—I just want him to hold me. “I’ve never found the right person.”

“Zoe,” he says, his eyes catching mine, “I hate that we got off to a bad start. Honestly, these last six months have been wonderful. It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone I felt I could talk to. You’ve always made me laugh. I feel close to you. Losing that closeness would devastate me.”

He pauses, looking down briefly to find the words. When he looks up again, his eyes are fierce with determination. “I’m in Maine until the New Year. I’d like to spend as much of that time with you as possible. I know the distance makes things complicated, but this time together could tell us whether this thing is meant to be.”

I’m breathless. We’ve gone from being completely love-struck to scorning each other, and then back to starry-eyed in a matter of days. I don’t know where I stand, or how I feel. The part of Tom that is my Tom—and not TJ or Thomas Vermont—is irresistible. The question is, how much of my Tom is in there?

“Let’s take it one day at a time.” I bite down on my lip and lower my hands to take hold of Tom’s. “There’s something here, isn’t there?”

“I know there is.”

Tom leans forward, one arm circling my waist to pull me close. He presses his lips to mine, and his kiss takes my breath away. I close my eyes, hearing the love songs playing over the speakers and the sound of trickling water. I feel Tom’s mouth over mine, his strong arm around me. I smell his delicious cologne. I’m completely lost in the moment.

The kiss ends, but the butterflies inside me remain. We hold hands for the rest of the evening, laughing and joking together as we explore the aquarium, teasing each other with different slimy or spiky creatures, testing each other’s courage. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.

We stay for hours, but it’s only a small aquarium, and by the time we’ve had our fill of sea life, the night is still young.

Tom looks at his watch, then realizes he’s not wearing it. He chuckles at himself. “I was trying to tone it down. Laura says I make a bad impression with the billionaire bit.”

I smile. “Laura’s very wise. Although the Rolex wasn’t as much of a problem as the attitude.”

“And tonight, have I been full of myself?”

I shake my head. “No. You’ve been fun. I’ve had the best time.”

Tom reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. He looks genuinely happy when he grins. “Good.” He sighs. “I guess I’d better get back to Laura’s.”

“What time is she leaving tomorrow?”

“After she’s taken the kids to school.”

“So, you’re not needed until school ends?”

“Technically.”

I play with Tom’s fingers, looking up at him flirtatiously from under my lashes, even though I’m feeling like an anxious wreck inside. So much could go wrong. He’s a flight risk.

“You should come back to my place for a while, then. We won’t have the chance to spend much time together when we’re alone with the kids. Let’s make the most of this night.”

“The night of your life?”

“I’m hoping it will be.”

“I’ll let Laura know.”

Tom calls Laura to tell her that he’s coming back to mine. I wonder how Laura will react. I know she’s rooting for us, so I hope she’s excited and not too mad that I’m stealing her brother away the night before she leaves.

I send her a quick text: Tom and I have had a wonderful evening. I didn’t want it to end yet. I hope it’s okay that he’s with me tonight. I’ll make sure he’s there for the kids when school ends tomorrow. Love you! Xx

I’m already sitting in the car by the time Tom finishes his call and gets in. He grins. “Laura tried to sound angry, but I think she’s pleased.”

“Do you get the sense she’s pushing us together?”

“I think she’s hoping I’ll fall in love with a local and never leave again.”

“She dreams big.”

“That’s one thing we have in common.”

Tom grins at me and turns on the ignition. He drives us back to my apartment. Once we get to my street, and the thrill of an empty aquarium and school-aged nostalgia has worn off, I realize how real this all is. Then I turn to look at Tom and know that I want nothing more.

I wish this had been the way things had gone from day one, instead of those false starts and bitter insults. The night of my life. I smile at him. “Come on in.”

Tom follows me upstairs to my apartment. My heart is thumping with anticipation. My mouth is dry.

My apartment smells of the fresh linen scented oil burner that I had on this morning. My apartment is tidy. There are multiple flower pots on windowsills and bookshelves, and a giant vase of lilies on the kitchen island.

“Wine?” I offer.

“Sure.”

I pour us two glasses. It’s the same bottle that was never opened when we met on Friday night.

Tom accepts his glass and takes a sip. “Good choice.”

“I doubt it’s as fancy as anything you’re used to drinking.”

“It’s perfect. A dry white. My favorite.”

We sit together on my sofa. I drink from my wine glass, letting the feeling of the alcohol relax me. I didn’t realize how tense I am.

“I had a great time tonight,” Tom says. “I’m glad you gave me a second chance.”

“You’re persistent. I’ll give you that.”

“I didn’t want to give up on the first spark I’ve felt in a long time.”

This is it. It’s happening.

Tom reaches across and places his hand behind my ear. He pulls me in for a kiss. He tastes like warm wine. His tongue moves over my lips, into my mouth. His kiss is warm; gentler than I expected.

I turn my body toward him, climbing onto his lap, facing him, so I can pull him closer.

Tom runs his hands up my back. His arms tighten around me. One hand remains around my waist, the other is in my hair, pulling me toward him.

Tom’s gentle kiss grows more passionate. My breath comes faster with excitement. I run my hands down his chest. Beneath the fabric of his shirt, I can feel his strong, taut muscles.

I let my hands rest on either side of his face during the next kiss. His jaw is strong and defined, with just the slightest rough stubble beginning to grow through. Tom takes hold of the bottom of my blouse with both hands, and pulls it up over my head, tossing it away.

The bra I’m wearing isn’t the one I’d chosen especially for our first night together. Instead of racy black lace, this bra is red padded silk. When my top is pulled away, I feel Tom rising between my legs, his cock growing hard at the sight of me.

He kisses along my collarbone and up my throat, almost panting. He unfastens my bra and lets it fall. His eyes drink in the view of my full, round breasts. He leans in to trace his tongue across my skin, sucking and nibbling gently at a nipple, his arms wrapped tightly around my back.

I feel completely enveloped in his delicious hold. I run my hands through his hair as he kisses my breasts. Our bodies are close together, locked in a steamy embrace.

Reaching for the button of Tom’s pants, I pull the denim apart and slide my hand beneath the material. I close my hand around his thick, throbbing cock. Tom grows even harder when I touch him.

I start to slide my hand up and down. I love the sound of the low groan Tom makes when I’m holding him.

He doesn’t let me tease him for long. Instead, Tom picks me up effortlessly and carries me to the bedroom, just like I imagined he would. He’ll lead like he’s walked through my apartment a thousand times before.

Tom lays me down on the bed and flicks on the bedside lamp. He draws the drapes, then turns to me with a smoldering stare. He takes off his tight T-shirt.

The muscles I’d felt just moments before are now on full display. Taut pecs, a row of defined abs. His hair is slightly tousled now that the day has worn on, starting to look wild in a way that drives me crazy. No business suits or ten-thousand-dollar watches. Just raw, masculine appeal.

I want him to take me. I want Tom to fulfill every fantasy I’ve imagined alone and every explicit message we’ve teasingly sent each other.

He takes off his jeans and briefs and stands at the end of the bed. My breath catches at the sight of his huge cock, hard and ready. He comes toward me and peels away my jeans. His eyes travel over my long, shapely legs. I relish the look of desire in his eyes. My killer legs strike again.

Next, Tom peels away my red silk panties. Pulling my legs apart, Tom bows his head between them. His wet, warm tongue presses against my clit. A tingling of pleasure begins to grow.

He teases my clit with his tongue until I’m on the brink of orgasm, then raises his head to kiss my mouth while pressing his fingers into me. His body is against mine; we are skin to skin as I come.

I tilt my head back to let a cry of pleasure escape.

While I’m still heady from the orgasm, Tom parts my legs again and enters me. His cock is thick and hard. It fills me entirely, and each stroke is pure bliss.

Tom rocks into me, going from kissing my mouth to kissing my throat. I hold onto the spindles of my headboard, blown away by the feeling of Tom inside me.

He pulls away and lies on his back. He gently takes hold of my wrist and pulls me onto him. His head falls back onto the pillow, his eyes fixed on mine.

I feel like the sexiest woman alive when I sink down onto his cock again. I begin to grind against him. His eyes are full of admiration for my body, but soon he closes them in pleasure and tilts his head back.

He grasps at my hips and pushes down. “Zoe—”

The sound of my name from his lips sends shivers down my spine. I lean forward to kiss him, my red hair spilling over his face. He reaches up to brush it back behind my ear, and our eyes meet. That spark burns.

I rock my hips against Tom until he comes. He lets out a long, satisfied breath, then sits up and wraps his arms around me. My breasts press against his chest. It feels so intimate.

He kisses me long and deeply, then draws away. “That,” he says, “was the night of my life.”