“She was a middle-aged woman. Her name was Wanda, and she suffered from polycystic kidney disease, needing constant dialysis to live. She was getting weaker by the day. We had this old guesthouse on the property. I snuck her in there, basically gave her food and shelter, tried to take care of her as best as possible. But what she really needed was a new kidney. She had a family member who was willing to donate one, but they couldn’t afford the surgery.”

“That was really nice of you to take care of her like that.“

“Well, it made me feel like I had a purpose for the first time in my life. Not to mention, I was falling in love with Emilio and would have done anything for him at that point.”

When I started to tear up, Carter placed his hand on my cheek. “What happened, Kendall?”

“My parents came home early from a trip one weekend and caught me in the guesthouse with Wanda and Emilio. I was begging and pleading with my father. At one point, my emotions got the best of me, and I stupidly blurted out that I was in love with Emilio. My father threatened to have them both arrested and deported.”

Carter cringed. “Did he do that?”

“When he found out about Wanda’s ailment, he calmed down a bit. But he absolutely would not accept my being with Emilio. He bargained with me. He said he would pay for Wanda’s kidney transplant, provided Emilio and Wanda never set foot on the property again and with the understanding that I never saw Emilio again.”

He blew out a long breath. “I think I know where this is going.”

“Yeah. So…I couldn’t, in good conscience, deny Wanda her life for my own selfish need to be with this boy. Emilio and I both agreed that was the way it had to be. My father made all of the arrangements, Wanda had her surgery, and I never saw Emilio again.”

“You did the right thing, Kendall.”

“I tried to find him after that, but because of his illegal status, there was no real record of him or his family. I had one address where I knew they’d stayed, but when I went there some months after the surgery, it was abandoned.” I looked up at the sky. “That’s really where the story ends.”

“I’m sorry, Perky. Thank you for sharing that with me.”

“Well, that whole experience definitely had a huge impact on my life, made me afraid to open up to anyone ever again, for fear of hurting them or getting hurt. In the years since, I’ve just learned to suppress my feelings and go with the motions.”

“Well, I’d say you did a pretty damn good job of opening up tonight, but I think we need a break.” Eventually, he stood and offered his hand. “What do you say we go get shit-faced?”

“I think that would be a perfect conclusion to our evening of confessions.”

WE WERE BOTH PRETTY DRUNK when we stumbled into our room at Maria Rosa’s that night. Carter was lying in the bed with his hands folded behind his head when I came out of the bathroom after getting changed.

“I’ll sleep on the floor tonight,” I said.

“I was thinking we could share the bed tonight. I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise. But I want to hold you in my arms while we sleep. I don’t even care that I sound like a pussy saying that. Because it’s the truth.”

I didn’t even have to think about it. “I’d love that.”

Carter held open his arms for me, and I climbed into bed and rested my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me so tight, and I clung to him. It felt so good to be held by him. But my feelings were conflicted. The thought of leaving tomorrow morning caused a physical ache in my chest. I had to choke back tears while I reveled in how good his touch felt. Neither of us said another word after that, and it felt right to lie in silence on our final night together. His heartbeat eventually lulled me to sleep.

The next morning, we both overslept. Racing around and bumping into each other, we took quick showers and packed our bags. Carter had to be at the airport by nine, and it was already eight, and we had an hour drive ahead of us. Rather than risk waiting for a taxi, Maria Rosa drove us to the airport.

When we arrived at the outbound terminal, I was barely able to keep my tears at bay. This was really it. The thought of never seeing Carter again was sickening. I’d only spent two days with him, yet I felt like he knew me better than most people. I got out when he did so I could say goodbye. He rattled off something in Portuguese to Maria and then handed her cash.

After he unloaded his luggage, the two of us stood facing each other at the back of the Jeep. “Maria is going to take you to the Westin. She knows where it is. While you were in the shower, I took your phone and programmed in her number. If you need anything, call her. She’s a little loco, but she’s good people.”

“Okay.”

He cupped both my cheeks into his hands. “Don’t go braless and talk to strange Brazilian men in bars. Got it?”

I nodded.

“Now give me a damn kiss already. I’ve been good for two days. No way in hell I’m letting you walk out of my life without a little taste.”

Before I could say a word, which obviously would have been yes, please, Carter’s mouth crashed down on mine. My knees went totally limp. My pulse was racing as he pulled me tightly against his body. He groaned when I wrapped my arms around him just as hard as he was holding me. Our tongues frantically collided, neither of us willing to waste another second before it was too late. We needed to taste each other, feel each other, say it all with that one kiss. When he started to release my mouth, I moaned and the kiss ramped up again. Even hungrier this time. I had no idea how long it lasted, I just knew when it ended, I was going to be devastated.

Carter leaned his forehead against mine. “Thank you for everything, Perky.”

“You took care of me for two days. I should be the one thanking you.”

“Nothing to thank me for. It was my pleasure. I’d stay right here with you if I could. Fucking hate leaving you. Especially after that kiss.”

A tear fell down my face, and Carter caught it with his thumb. “Whatever decision you make, it’s the right one. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. Promise me that.”

“I promise.”

We kissed a few more times. “Gotta fly, beautiful. You take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

I watched as he walked to the door. He turned and waved one last time before disappearing inside. Then I cried like a baby.