Kaylah sat on the beach and stared at the ocean as she’d done over the past three days. She’d slept, read a book, walked along the sand and made a to-do list that would impress even the most organised project manager.

Today, she’d hired a car and driven the thirty kilometres to the nearest PricePoint shop. Wandering around, looking at the leftover Christmas stock at the back end of the store in the bargain bins, she’d made notes and determined some brilliant Christmas hacks that she knew PricePoint would love.

The ideas kept flowing: using their blackboard for a birth announcement, creating a sleigh box from a case of beer with decorative Santa hats, cubby houses for children and easy to make gifts suitable for grandparents.

When she returned to work, she’d see if anyone at PricePoint’s head office would allow her to use their baby as a model for her “Winter in July” proposal. Just a few photos of a cute baby surrounded by the pieces she’d picked up in the bargain bin would show her manager the ideas she had.

Excitement built up inside of her. Working made her feel better and gave her some purpose in getting through each day.

Fiddling with her engagement ring, she wondered why she was still wearing it. She’d tried to return it to Felix, but he didn’t want it, citing a second-hand ring was useless to him. When she returned to Melbourne, she’d sell it and use the money in her payment plan.

One more day in this tropical paradise before she had to return to Melbourne and re-start her life.

Elaine had found her accommodation for six months, renting a room from a friend. The woman was widowed and appreciated the income from a houseguest as well as the company. The rental was so affordable that Kaylah might not have to work a second job, and could focus on her YouTube channel on the weekends and generate income that way.

Wriggling her toes in the sand, she stood and walked along the water’s edge, enjoying the splash of cool water on her feet and the quietness of the area.

“Kaylah.” She heard her name being called and spun around expecting to see someone from the resort.

The blood in her veins froze when she saw Jonah walking towards her. “What are you doing here?” she fired at him. “I came to get away.”

He jogged up to her, looking seriously handsome in a pair of tailored shorts and T-Shirt. “I came to talk to you, since you won’t answer my calls.”

“It’s a bit extreme to fly such a long way to see me, isn’t it?” She placed her hands on her hips, averting her eyes from how good his chest and arms looked in the fitted black top.

“Let’s walk,” he said, and she reluctantly followed him.

“Why are you here? Why did you come?” She shook her head from side to side, unable to believe they were walking along the beach at sunset. “How did you find me?” she asked wanting to know if Elaine had betrayed her?

Kaylah was not surprised when Jonah said, “Felix.”

“I’m surprised he remembers who I am,” she said with a toss of her hair.

He turned to look at her. “He is upset, he’s barely around, and working non-stop.”

She blew out a long breath, unable to apologise yet again. How many times had she said sorry? Too many times to count.

She gave him a wry smile. “I’ve decided to either become a nun, a lesbian or Catwoman.”

“I don’t think you can become a lesbian.”

“Fine, Catwoman it is,” she announced. “Once I pay your parents the money I owe them, I’ll start adopting cats.”

He started chuckling.

“What’s so funny?” She looked at him through narrowed eyes.

“Sorry, when you said Catwoman, I thought you meant the supervillain. I didn’t realise you were going to care for cats.”

She rolled her eyes and suppressed a giggle. “Whatever,” she said with a dismissive wave.

“I’ve paid Mum and Dad your share of the wedding money.”

“What? Why did you do that?” she yelled. “Now I owe you.”

“Please, hear me out. My mum went a little overboard with the wedding.”

“You’re telling me?” she said with an all-knowing pfft. Crossing her arms, she stared at him, as the ocean gently splashed her ankles. “I wanted something small and intimate. I would’ve been happy with a wedding in their back garden, but no, your mum booked an expensive caterer and just…spent.”

“She knows it and feels bad but unfortunately, they spent more than they could afford and borrowed the money.”

She felt her face redden as she ground her teeth. “Let me get this straight. Your mum organised a wedding that they couldn’t afford, something that the bride didn’t even want. Is that what you’re telling me?”

He sucked in a sharp breath. “Basically, yes.”

Her hands came up to her head, and she walked in circles. “Why?” She stopped and glared at Jonah. “I didn’t want a fancy-shmancy wedding, but how ironic that I have to pay for it.”

He took her hands in his. “I know and I’m sorry. I spoke to Mum about this and she agreed that it wasn’t fair to put such a financial burden on you.”

She removed her hands and took a step back. “I cancelled the wedding. It’s my burden to pay.”

“I made a lot of money with my apps. It’s stupid for you to be responsible for such a large sum. I’ve paid them and you can pay me, whatever you want.” He paused. “I don’t need the money, I have plenty of it.”

She wanted to say no and tell him to leave. But the rational side of her knew she had to accept. Biting back her pride, she said, “Okay, thank you. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

A warm smile lit up his face. “Take as long as you need. Like I said, I don’t need the money. I feel terrible about you moving out and having to find somewhere to live.”

“Speaking of living, why aren’t you back in Samoa?”

They continued to walk slowly along the water. “I stayed to support Mum and Dad.” Looking down, he said, “There were a lot of calls to make, presents to return, you know how it is.” He sighed loudly. “It hasn’t been easy for them. They’re angry, they’re upset, they’re hurt, they’re confused.” He paused. “Felix and I have spent time with them, but they just don’t understand why the wedding was cancelled. As far as they understood, you two were so happy together.”

“I know.” Her shoulders slumped with understanding. “It was so hard to lie to them. I wish I’d been able to be truthful with them. They deserved that.” She sighed dramatically. “Thank you for cancelling everything. I do appreciate it. It hasn’t been easy for me. I hurt people I loved. I don’t know if you can see that.”

“I do, I really do. You came away alone. You didn’t want a friend or Elaine to join you,” he said with a frown. “Wouldn’t it have been better to be here with someone?”

Her chest tightened with self-reproach. “I needed to be by myself.”

“F-fine, fine,” he said as though he was reassuring himself.

“I feel terrible.” Flutters in her belly made her look up. “I miss them.” She massaged her chest, near her heart. “It’s like a piece of me is missing.”

Jonah took her hand in his, massaging the pulse point on her wrist. “They don’t know I’m here. I came to talk to you. But, I’m not like my brother. He’s better with words than I am.” He cleared his throat.

“Kaylah,” Jonah said, waving his hand in front of her face.

She looked at him and smiled. “Sorry, I was just thinking.” She’d been thinking about Felix and how smooth his words were. She believed him when he said he hadn’t cheated on her. They weren’t just words. He’d meant them.

“You had a blank look in your eyes, like you were trying to gather your thoughts.”

“I was,” she said feeling her heart lift. “I made the right decision to break off the wedding, but it still hurts and I hate the pain I caused your family.” Her shoulders straightened. “I was just thinking about Felix. I think he was honest with me, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe Felix might have wanted to extend our agreement,” she said with a determined jut of her chin. “Be with other women.”

“Yes, no, maybe, I don’t know.” His brow creased with indecision. “I’d like to think Felix wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Me too,” she confessed. “I’d like to think he wouldn’t. Doesn’t matter, I didn’t break up a marriage because of a feeling that he might do something in the future.” She took a deep breath through her nose and then exhaled through her mouth. The sun was now low on the horizon and it was getting dark. But before she returned to her room alone, she needed to ask, “What’s the reason you came to see me? What do you want to talk to me about?”

* * *

Jonah’s mouth dried quicker than the sun-kissed sand on the beach. He still wasn’t sure himself. He’d tried to accept that she needed to be by herself, that he shouldn’t intrude on her time away. But he felt responsible, responsible for driving a wedge between Kaylah and Felix.

He’d assumed that the kiss between them had raised emotion levels to the point that Kaylah had ended their engagement. But now he realised that there was more to the break-up than he and his parents realised. And he felt his muscles tighten in preparation for what he was now going to say.

“You’re right. I could’ve emailed you, but I wanted to see you and make sure you were okay.”

She shrugged. “As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

“You didn’t seem fine on Friday night and I was worried about you.”

“I had just had a massive fight with Felix. I had to deal with your parents, and then pack up and leave the apartment.” She stopped, before poking his chest with her forefinger. “How do you think I felt?”

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he decided to be as honest as he could with Kaylah. She’d had enough of half-truths. “I told Mum and Dad about the kiss, and how I felt about you. They know everything, even if they are furious at me.”

“What?” she yelled out, her face a mask of annoyance and indignation.

“No more lies, Kaylah,” he said in a soft, reassuring voice. He placed his hand over his heart. “I’m crazy for you, you know that, but I don’t expect us to suddenly be together. All I’m asking for is a chance, a chance for you to get to know me and see if you want to…date.”

“How can I date you when you’re in Samoa? I have a job here, which I need, since I have a debt to refund you,” she said, her fists clenching into balls.

“I’m coming back to Melbourne,” he admitted, with a soft voice.

“Forget it,” she sliced her hand horizontally through the air. “You told me why you have to live there. I don’t want to be under pressure to date you because you move back for me. Sorry, this isn’t going to work.”

“Listen.” He took her hand and steered her to some dry sand so they could sit and watch the moonlight reflect on the dancing waves.

“Since I’ve been back in Melbourne, I’ve realised that I missed everyone more than I wanted to admit. Seeing my parents and extended family made me want to come back. It’s not only you. I just don’t want to be away from them.”

“B-but your health.” She cleared her throat.

“I need to be more mindful of working. I’ve decided to do my charity work from Melbourne. I’ll organise the funding and computers from there and ship them to Samoa. There are enough people who can set up and distribute the computers, but I’ll be getting the computers to them.” His throat grew thick, thinking about the endless possibilities. “I’m going to start creating apps again but this time I’ll be ensuring I have a decent work/life balance,” he announced with pride. He shuffled closer to her. “I did this for me, and I also did it for you and me.”

Her head bowed and because of the darkness, he couldn’t see her expression. His heart stilled. Had he messed up again? “Kaylah, honey, talk to me.”

Lifting her head to look at him, she said, “I think it’s too late.”

“I’m asking for a second chance. When you’re ready, we’ll date and get to know each other.”

“No,” she snapped. “I can’t do it. Everyone knows I cheated on Felix with you.”

“It was a kiss,” he said, demoralised by her no.

“It was more than a kiss,” she said, clutching his forearm. “Well, it was to me.”

He wasn’t sure whether he should whoop for joy or worry. Did she feel something strong for him? He hoped so.

“Did you hear what I said?” she repeated in a voice that was patronising.

“I heard. I just don’t know how to respond,” he confessed.

“How can we be together? I had sex with your brother—doesn’t that bother you?” The muscles along her jaw were clenched tight. Would Jonah find it distasteful that she’d slept with Felix?

“The thought of you being with anyone else kills me. I’m selfish enough to want you all to myself. But,” he paused, “I realise that at our age, we’ve each dated and been with other people.” He leaned forward, lips parting. “I also know that Felix has slept with half of Melbourne. If I applied that logic to all my dates, I’d have to start dating in another city.”

She stifled a chuckle. “I don’t know if I should be laughing or crying.”

“I’d prefer you to laugh,” he said, running his finger down the side of her face. “I’m thirty years old. I’ve had girlfriends. Admittedly, not as many as my brother, but I’ve been with other women. The only one I want now is you.” He paused and took a steadying breath. “I dream of you, think of you, only want to be with you. There is a connection between us. We both felt it when we met, and since I’ve been back in Melbourne. I want us to get to know each other better.”

“Stop, I can’t,” she said placing her hand on his shoulder. “It’s too weird. How will I face your parents, and…your brother?” Her palms came up to cup her cheeks. “I could never be with you. I’d be wondering what they were thinking. It’s scandalous. I don’t want to be the subject of gossip.”

“They’re already talking,” he blurted out.

“Crickey, no,” she said.

Taking her hands in his, he said, “Do you want to risk not being happy just because…of what my parents think?” He boldly pressed his lips against her knuckles and was relieved when she didn’t pull away from him. “I will never ask what my brother asked of you. I’m a one-woman guy. I would never, ever share you. I will stand by you, honour you, support you. Please say yes.” He all but begged.

Shaking her head, she drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. “It’s too soon. All of a sudden you’re returning to Melbourne and want to date me after you spent so much time convincing me that you would never do that.” Pain made her eyes downcast and it hurt to see her so despondent. “I can’t and I won’t,” she said, curling her toes in the sand. “I just can’t go from Felix to you. The shame of it, and having to face your parents. I lied to them on Friday night and now they know the truth…well some of it.” Despair and remorse filled her eyes.

His heart ached with the pain of rejection. He’d hoped that he would be able to convince her to take a chance on him and a future together.

He hadn’t realised the depth of pain she was going through from the break-up with Felix and the indignation of the fall-out. His jaw clenched tight. He’d failed. It was over. He wasn’t his brother who could sweet-talk a woman into anything he wanted. He was the geeky, clever one who’d only had a handful of girlfriends and had fallen instantly in love. Love that surprisingly hadn’t diminished over the past year.

Rubbing his arms, he admitted defeat. He’d tried his best, but it hadn’t been good enough. A pain in the back of his neck wormed its way down his spine. Time to leave and stop making a fool of himself.

Standing, he brushed the sand from his shorts and looked at Kaylah, so pretty in the moonlight. “I’ll never bother you again. I want you to be happy, and if that means you being with someone else…” He shrugged as the pain of loss hit him in the chest, “I need to accept that.” Shuffling his feet he said, “I hope you’ll be happy. You’re so talented. You would’ve got that job without Felix. You were good enough to do it yourself. He just helped move things along quicker.”

He cleared his throat, “I want you to be happy. I wish it was with me but…” God, how pathetic was he? Wearing his heart on his sleeve, non-stop talking. Time to leave before he made a bigger, more pathetic fool of himself. “Good-bye. I’m flying back to Melbourne in the morning. And don’t worry about my parents… they won’t know I came here.”

And with that, he walked away. Away from the woman he wanted to spend his life with. He’d bared his soul. Made himself a laughingstock and unfortunately, she’d rejected him. He headed for the bar in the hotel he was staying at. He needed a beer or three. Anything to dull the hurt of rejection.

It was time to move on, he knew that.