“I was not sure when you would finish work, that is why I amhere.”
He shifted from foot to foot as if he felt uncomfortable. Annabelle did not like to see him in that way, especially when she felt like she was to blame. She started to take a step closer to him, but stopped at the last minute. Maybe he needed some distance from her to keep his head clear. She knew that she did fromhim.
“Did you wish to take a walk?” she asked quietly. “Maybe another stroll down thebeach.”
“That sounds lovely, but actually I have something that I wish to say to you and I think it is better that I say ithere.”
Annabelle’s heart thundered, she almost felt sick as she drank in those words. That was serious, and probably not good. She tried her best to gulp down the thick ball of emotion that lodged itself firmly in her throat but it did not want to go anywhere atall.
Floyd waited for Annabelle to speak, but she did not seem able to do so. Floyd was calm, he had been planning what he was going to say to Annabelle all night and all morning long. Now all he needed to do was get it out. Yes, his fingers were curled tightly around and there was a knot in his stomach, but none of it was enough to affecthim.
This is what I have to do, he thought determinedly. I have to at least try. Then I can go home knowing that I have done everything. Closure will have to beenough.
“Annabelle,” he said, maybe a little too formally. “As you know, I love you. I have loved you for five years, and despite the time apart that has never changed. I do not like the fact that our timing does not seem to be right, but I do not think that is a good enough excuse for us to separate without us eventrying.”
“What... what are you saying?” Annabelle whispered while clutching her hands tightly together, trying hard not to fall apart. She needed Floyd to state his intentions exactly before she could say anything else atall.
“I am telling you that I am returning home tomorrow evening. Much as I would love to stay and spend more time with you, I cannot remain, knowing that you are engaged to be married to another man. My heart cannot takeit.”
“But...” Annabelle started, but Floyd shook his head to silence her. He knew what he wanted to say and he needed to finish now that he hadstarted.
“I am sorry, Annabelle, I just cannot do it. I shall leave tomorrow evening, and what I really want is for you to come with me.” He stared at her, deep into her eyes so she understood fully what he was telling her. “I love you, Annabelle. I want you to break off your engagement, and I want you to be withme.”
“Where... do you even live?” Annabelle asked, probably stalling just a littlebit.
“Ashbridge,” Floyd replied with a smile. “Not too far away from that B and B we first stayed in. I guess I have never been able to forget too much about you.” He remained with a blissful look on his face for just a couple of seconds before it fell away. "But I will forget you if you do not come. That is the way it shall have to be. We will both have to forget oneanother.”
“Yes,” Annabelle whispered, understanding what he was saying completely. She did not much like it, but if she and Floyd said goodbye to one another this time it would have to be forever. “Isee.”
“I know I am not going to get my answer now,” Floyd did his best to reassure Annabelle. “I understand completely that this is a big thing that I have put upon you. I guess I just want to give you the choice.” Floyd took a step away from Annabelle’s door as he prepared himself to leave. “I want you to know that I love you enough to risk everything for you. I would like you to be mine, but I also understand that might not bepossible.”
Annabelle parted her lips, wishing that she could say anything to make her feelings known, but there were not any words. Not at the moment. Instead, she had to watch in silence as Floyd walked away, leaving her with twenty-four hours to decide how she wanted to live the rest of her life. Did she stick to the plan that she had been working towards recently, or did she go with what she had been wanting her wholelife?
“Oh, Floyd,” she murmured to herself. “What am I going todo?”
