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Waves crashed gently in the darkness. A chaotic yet rhythmic noise. Somewhere out on the ocean, music played in a boat while people drunkenly sang along. She couldn’t make out the words, but it sounded like a disco beat. There was no moonlight tonight, only a clear and starry sky that still smelt of lightning from the storm that ended half an hour earlier.
Eve and Tracy sat together on a beach towel, knees touching, a fresh bottle of wine sitting half buried in the sand and an empty one in the basket behind them.
“I tried to commit suicide on this beach,” Tracy said. A confession given to the quiet of the night. “I’m still mad at James for stopping me.”
“Are we here to try again?” Eve asked.
Tracy thought Eve would let her do it. She would understand the feeling of having no choice left to make but this one. “No.” She didn’t feel that way anymore. Not in the same way. “Some part of me need to die. I’m giving my past to the sea, but I still want a future.” She glanced at Eve. She outshone all the stars caressing her in their light. “A future with you, if you’ll have me.”
Eve looked away from her. “I’m not exactly what most people look for in a relationship. You can ask plenty of past partners and they would confirm.”
“I grew up in a family of spies. Your work-life balance isn’t an issue,” she immediately said. Then immediately regretted. Eve deserved better than begging.
“It’s not that. I don’t know if my feelings could ever match yours. I don’t feel that way about anyone. Q says its called aromanticism. I don’t want to not live up to your expectations.”
For all the rejections Tracy’s had considered, this wasn’t one of them. “You can still tell me no and I’ll listen. But I tried conventional relationships and they aren’t for me. I would like to try something new with you.”
The party on the boat somewhere in the dark had moved out of earshot. The wake of a motorboat that had gone past five minutes ago finally hit their beach and crashed higher on the sand.
Eve reached forward and poured them both a fresh glass. “I’m willing to try if you are.”