A Day in a Life

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Saige

I ’M A HOT mess. In a good way. Nothing in this world looks the same anymore. Not after so much has changed inside me. The colors around me are more vibrant, the stars are shining brighter in the sky, gravity has ceased to exist, and I’m floating instead of walking. The sky is so blue, I’m sure I could dive into it. The sound of waves hitting the shore is a little bit louder, and the aroma of the sea air is saltier. The flavor of life is sweet.

All because Saige Riley is happy. No, not just happy, I’m ecstatic. Elijah Garrett is responsible for these wild feelings flowing through my veins. He’s everything to me. Being unable to express how we feel through physical contact has forced us to express our feelings in other ways. He’s become my best friend.

It’s only been a week and a half since I met him. I know my emotions are racing ahead, leaving me behind. I know there’s still so much to learn about each other. I know we need more time. Tell that to my heart. It likes to beat out of control whenever I’m with him. I don’t think the forbidden plays a role in my feelings. It does add a touch of torment, though. A torture that probably wouldn’t exist without the limitations set by my former marriage.

I need to remedy that situation. Very soon. I’m dying for my first kiss with Elijah.

I promised myself no one would ever touch my heart again. I’ve failed. I’ve let Elijah in.

I glance at my phone. Only fifteen minutes left of my shift, and I can go home to see the man of my dreams. I’m not a fan of unexpected life twists, except when it comes to Elijah. I’m still reeling.

This past week has felt like a dream as we spent every evening together exploring Key West. If my life were a movie, that part would’ve been the falling-in-love musical montage.

I can’t decide which night was my favorite. The memories start flowing through my mind.

One night we took the trolley to Duval Street and bummed around the quirky shops and restaurants housed in historical buildings. Elijah found the architecture unbelievable. He was also obsessed with the fact that Duval Street runs across Key West from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico. It does boggle the mind.

One night we took a ride on a glass bottom boat. Not the greatest idea, since I became seasick and threw up over the side of the boat. Everyone could see my vomit mix with the beautiful colors of the ocean. I’m sure it was a memorable sight. I’d like to forget it ever happened. Except for the way Elijah rubbed my back and brought me ginger ale to help settle my stomach. It felt good to be pampered.

“Saige, stop that smiling right now. I know who you’re thinking about, and I’m jealous as heck.” I turn to find Brook standing with her hands on her hips.

“I can’t help it. My lips want to smile. I’ve lost control of my own body. It does what it wants to do.”

“Yeah, well, keep it down, will you? I can hear you smiling from all the way over here.” Brook approaches and gives me a quick hug. “I’m happy for you, sweetie. I really am.”

“Thanks, Brook,” I say as we rush off to tend to our duties. The restaurant is busy tonight.

Memories of our musical montage continue to play through my mind.

I think we spent two nights exploring Mallory Square. Maybe three. I can’t remember. It’s become a blur of activity. We spent time watching musicians perform, along with artists, jugglers, mimes, and fire-eaters. We ate the best food and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. Even though Elijah wanted to push over the mime who kept acting like he was falling, we still had a great time. As long as I didn’t let him go anywhere near the mime. The highlight in my memories is how much we laughed. I think that was my favorite part. I love laughing with Elijah.

I turn in my next order and bus a table while my thoughts wander. The permanent smile on my face makes me look like a silly fool. I don’t care. I’m so smitten, I realize I’ve never been in love before. Not really. Not like this. Nothing has ever felt like this.

As I pick up an order, Brook says, “So, is he a good kisser? Spill it, honey.”

Before I can think about my answer, I reveal, “We haven’t kissed yet.” I realize my mistake right away.

“Are you kidding me?” Brook splutters. I think the entire restaurant hears her.

“We’re taking things slow. Friends first and all that.” She doesn’t know about Cole. I’ve revealed more about my past to Elijah than anyone else since I’ve been in Key West.

“Saige, honey, he’s the kind of man you grab by the lapels and just lay one on him. You don’t wait for him to initiate it. You go for it.”

“That’s not me, and you know it.”

“Whatever. If you need pointers, I’m your gal.” Brook flashes me her cheesy smile, then she’s off to deliver sustenance to a crowd of hungry people.

I wish I could grab Elijah by the lapels and lay one on him. I find myself thinking about kissing him far too often.

As I deliver orders, my mind wanders again.

When I had a day off, we rented a moped and explored Fort Zachary Taylor State Park which boasts a Civil War-era fort, a gorgeous beach, and nature trails.

That was my favorite day because I’d sat behind Elijah on the moped with my arms wrapped around his waist, the closest we’d ever been—not counting the day I fell on him. I would’ve been happy to be on that moped the entire day. Then we traveled to the famous buoy marking the southernmost tip of the United States. We took a selfie of the two of us. It’s the wallpaper on my phone, and I can’t stop looking at it.

“Saige, your order’s up,” Sissy hollers.

Startled, I come back to reality and grab several plates.

“Hey, Saige,” Sissy stops me.

“Yeah?” I’m sure she’s about to reprimand me for not paying attention to what I’m doing.

“Stop with the daydreaming. But I have to say, you’re glowing. It looks good on you.” She offers me a wink.

I didn’t know I could glow. I didn’t think I had the ability. One person was all it took to bring me back to life. One perfect man. “Thanks, Sissy. You know why.”

“Yes, I do. If that man looked my way, I’d be glowing like a firecracker.”

“Hey,” Randall objects.

“Hey what? I’m married, not dead.”

I take my leave. I refuse to get between those two. Some days, they argue like crazy, yet every night they walk home holding hands. Maybe it’s only ten or so steps, but they walk home like two lovebirds who can’t stand to be parted.

I’ve always envied their relationship. Now that I have one of my own, I want to jump up and down and scream until I’m hoarse.

As I deliver the order, my mind wanders again to my adventures with Elijah. I can’t stop my daydreaming.

As far as beauty goes, visiting the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory was an experience. Especially when a butterfly landed on Elijah’s nose. We laughed until our faces were red, but that butterfly figured it had found its new home and refused to budge for at least five minutes. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard. I wish I would’ve snapped a picture.

Kayaking amid mangrove trees was probably the most breathtaking experience. It was all good because I was loaded up with motion-sickness meds. I was a little sleepy, but I didn’t contaminate the ocean.

We braved a dolphin watching cruise as well. Again, the motion-sickness meds did their job. We were able to watch the dolphins from the side of the boat. They acted as though they wanted to interact with us, as though they were purposefully attempting to get our attention. They put on quite the show. Elijah said that was his favorite day.

We took a ride on the Conch Tour Train to see all the historical sites around Key West. That’s when Elijah learned why the native-born Key Westers are called Conchs. Most of them spent their childhoods gathering the shellfish.

The sightseeing has been fun, but the best part has been spending time with Elijah. He’s always happy, always pleasant. I’ve never met someone like him before. He doesn’t seem real. Everything is too good to be true. Everyone knows what happens in that case.

It’s always not true.

I don’t believe that for a minute.

We still have more to do. There are galleries to visit, shipwreck museums to explore, and theaters boasting locally written plays to see. Elijah is already talking about extending his visit.

Tonight, however, Elijah is cooking dinner for me . For me! I gave him a copy of the key to my apartment. I’ll be going home to find a home-cooked dinner and a handsome man waiting for me. I have a case of the can-hardly-waits.

I don’t want flowers and chocolates and jewelry. I want a man who respects me, who massages my feet when they hurt, who’ll rush over to kill a spider for me, who buys me shoes to make my feet comfortable, who brings me breakfast in bed, who makes me dinner after a long day. Those are the things that says he loves me.

I deliver my last order and refill their glasses. When my replacement arrives, I holler a hurried “See ya later” to Sissy and Randall.

They flash me knowing smiles. Randall tells me, “Have a good night, but not too good of a night. Remember you’ve only known him for what? Ten days?”

“Thanks, Dad.” What can I say? I love those two. They’ve been an anchor in my life since the day I arrived in Key West.

Brook runs over to me, grabs the front of my shirt, pulls me close, and kisses my cheek in an aggressive manner. “That’s how it’s done. You’re welcome.”

I wish I could kiss Elijah like that, but it wouldn’t be on the cheek. “Goodnight, weirdo,” I say.

“Love ya, weirdo.” Brook saunters away, a skip in her step.

As for me, just ten more steps and a flight of stairs, and my eyes will land on my most favorite man in the whole wide world.

I’ve never felt so alive, like I can feel the blood rushing through my veins. I feel every beat of my heart. I feel the pulse at my neck throbbing. Every breath comes with gratitude that I’m finally living. Not just existing.

I’m alive.