Assassin (49 page)

Hawke found Conch sitting on the sand, her long legs stretched out, the foamy white froth lapping at her brown feet. He ran quickly through the soft sand down to the water. They could still make it to Lorelei’s for the afterglow if they left right now.

“Hey, you,” he said. He kissed the top of her head and collapsed in the sand beside her, staring at the fiery water and sky.

“Missed you,” Conch said.

She took his hand.

“Well, I’m back.”

“You know what, Hawke?” she said, kissing the palm of his hand.

“No idea. Tell me.”

“I think maybe you just might be.”

The blood-red sun dropped into the sea.