** This one is for Barbara, who had her Tom for a month and one week, to Tad, who had his Jan for six wonderful months, and to the memory of the man who allowed me to adore him only from afar**
The warm summer sun heated bare shoulders. Absently, she pushed up an orange cotton strap that fell from her shoulders. A cool breeze teased at long strands of auburn hair and kept her pale, freckled skin from burning. Gina had left her hair down, because she knew Royce preferred it that way. Her choice would have been piled onto her head, neck bared.
Chewing the inside of her lip, Gina studied toes which peeked out of the sandals matching her dress. Memories of his quirky little smile when she found the shoes flashed through her mind.
He indulged her outrageously. When she protested, he told her it gave him pleasure, so silent she remained. A romantic, he remembered special occasions with cards and gifts. He sent her flowers just because. He brought the dress she wore, saying the unusual color reminded him of her hair. Royce was the only one she allowed to call it orange.
Twisting around, Gina wondered where he had stormed off to and more important the reason why. What had they been talking about?
She retraced the day's steps. Royce had shown up at her house unannounced and said he hoped she didn't have plans. Gina hadn't, but she would have broken them for him.
Hurriedly, she threw on some clothes and ran a brush through her hair. Tight lipped, he refused to give her a hint where they were headed.
He brought her to this small secluded place on the lake. A blanket and a basketful of tempting foods completed the picnic. Royce's head rested on her lap and she popped grapes into his mouth.
What had she said to him? They talked about how beautiful the day was. She leaned over and kissed him. Had he kissed her back? She couldn't remember. Staring into his pale blue eyes, her heart soft, Gina wished for time to stand still, then they could spend the rest of their lives together here on the lake.
A rustling of grass behind her warned her of his return. "Gina, we need to talk."
"Royce?" Gina scrambled to her feet. "What's wrong?" Wind tugged at the hem of her dress.
He stared at her for a moment before wandering toward the deceptively still surface of the lake's surface. The breeze lifted the blond hair off his forehead. He moved closer to the lake, his broad back to her.
She watched pensively. The normal magical connection between them was full of tension. Gina felt the palms of her hands grow damp. "Royce? Was it something I said? Something I did?"
He sighed. "No, it's not you, honey. It's me."
Cautiously, she approached him and laid a hand on his back. "What's wrong? I'm sorry, I don't understand what happened."
Royce stepped away from her hand. Gina curled her fingers into a fist, knuckles grew white.
After a brief period, he turned to her, tears in his eyes. "I haven't been totally up front with you."
A feeling of dread spread through her. She felt her limbs grow cold. "Royce?"
"Things weren't supposed to happen this way. We were supposed to be just friends. You weren't supposed to fall for me. I wasn't supposed to feel this way about you. I should have run the first time you smiled at me. We can't be allowed to happen!" He stalked away a distance.
Gina sunk down. Confused, she focused on the sky-blue blanket they had been laying on so peacefully earlier.
Royce made his way back and joined her. Gently, he picked up her hand. "Gina, you can't fall in love with me."
Tears flowed. "I think it's too late." She dashed her hand at the drops on her cheeks.
"Oh Gina, I never meant to hurt you. Please believe that. I should have told you the truth up front, but I was selfish. I chose to turn a blind eye to what was happening."
Voice weak, she asked, "why can't we love each other, Royce? Are you married?"
"I wish it was that easy. You had a right to know and yet, I kept putting it off. I planned today to come clean with you, but almost succeeded in failing until you spoke up. You have to forget me, Gina!"
A force laugh came unbidden. "You might as well ask me to stop breathing."
"Gina, I'm dying. I don't have anything to give you."
She searched his face, looking for what she wasn't sure. "Do you love me, Royce?"
He jumped up and stalked toward the lake. "It doesn't matter, Gina. I can't tie you to me, knowing the heartache and pain that lies in my future. I won't have you slowly watch me waste away."
"Tell me, do you love me?"
He came back and gathered her in his arms. "How could I not love you? You make me smile when I'm down, but you also give me dreams for a future that can't exist. It's better that I let you go now."
She slowly traced the contour of his cheek. A smile on her face, she allowed tears to flow. "Then everything will be all right."
"Gina," he shook himself free of her arms. "You don't even know what's wrong with me."
"It doesn't matter, Royce. What's important is that we were given this opportunity to meet and know love. One should never refuse so rare a gift."
"It would kill me to not have you in my life. Just my luck to meet my soulmate so late in life." Royce kissed her forehead lightly.
"It's never too late, love. You may outlive me. None of us are guaranteed anything beyond this moment. One day, one week, one month, one year, what is important is the time we have together. I love you, Royce that's all that matters."
He framed her face and gently kissed her. "I do love you."
Leaning into him, she returned his kiss passionately. "Then remember, one day, one week, one month, one year. That's all that matters."