Her eyes found his. 'And I love you.'
'Then what's the problem?'
'We're going around in circles,' she sighed.
A tear blinked free; rolled the length of his cheek. 'You're all I have. I've got nowhere else to go.'
Sandy moved toward the water, teasing the incoming waves as they lapped the beach. 'We'll be together again, Frank. Just not… just not now.'
He wiped his eyes. 'There's five thousand dollars in cash in the top drawer of my bureau in the bedroom. Take it.'
'I don't need it.'
'Just take it.'
She offered a subtle nod. 'All right.'
'Come on,' he said, clearing his throat. 'I'll drive you back.'
'No,' she said, drawing a deep breath of sea air. 'I'd rather stay a while. I can walk back, it's not so far.'
'Sandy, you'll freeze.'
'I'll be fine.'
Frank wanted to kiss her, but knew if he did, he'd never be able to let go. Like a statue, he stood watching her.
'What will you do?' she finally asked.
'Go away, get my head together,' he told her. 'And then I'll be back to sweep you off your feet.'
She cocked her head to the side. 'Sounds romantic.'
He nodded. 'Don't forget about me.'
Sandy smiled brightly. He had not seen her do that in a very long time. 'No chance.'
With a smile of his own, Frank turned and forced himself back in the direction of the car.
