Three months later, Mina looked around her now empty apartment. Everything had been packed up and moved to a storage unit in Raleigh. She smiled at her landlord and handed over the key and an envelope with the remaining rent money to close her lease. She thanked him for understanding, grabbed a folder off the counter, tucked it into her oversized handbag, dug out her car keys, and left the building. She pulled up her playlist in her car and started the three-hour drive to Raleigh. She pulled up to the building that was Asher's home office and got out of her car, trying to shake off the nervousness and excitement filling her. She walked in and smiled at Eric, who gave her a huge hug.
"Are you ready to go?" Eric grinned.
"So fucking ready. I missed him."
"He's been a pill, so it's safe to say he missed you too."
"Thanks for doing this."
"Not a problem; come on, the car is ready to go." Eric drove her to the airport, filling her in on the last few months. "Joe was able to go back to his wife and kid. They're both thrilled to have each other again. Asher's dad and stepmom are keeping an eye on them. Les is currently up in the Appalachian mountains, building a cabin near Lexi's." He grinned at her surprised look. "They have a weird relationship from an outsider's perspective, but it works for them. Greg's sister loved your drawings of her kids, and so did her best friend. Greg is dating the friend because it only took him twenty-odd years to notice her." Eric rolled his eyes.
"And what about you?"
"I'm still playing the field." Eric smiled. "I'm not the settling down type."
"Asher thought the same thing." Mina pointed out with a smile.
"Well, if I ever find my Mina counterpart, you'll be the first to know," Eric smirked at her as he pulled up to the departure gate at the airport. "Here's the name and address of the man you need to contact if Asher has already left the marina, but he wasn't planning to leave until the third."
"Thanks again Eric." She passed him her car keys.
"Not a problem. Good luck."
The flight from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Honolulu was the longest twelve hours Mina was sure she'd ever endured. But she landed and waved down a taxi to take her to the marina at ten am on the second. She thanked the cab and spoke to the harbor master, who brought her to Asher's boat. Asher wasn't on board, so he helped her on board, and she sat nervous and excited as she waited for him.
"Excuse me. You're on my boat." Mina opened her eyes as Asher's hostile voice brought her out of the uneasy sleep she had drifted off in as she waited. Mina stood up and slowly turned to face him.
"Does that mean you're not happy to see me?" She looked up at him anxiously as he froze; the groceries fell from his hands and landed on the dock. Then, with a burst of motion, Asher jumped into the boat and grabbed her, pulling her against him and kissing her frantically.
"You're here." He pushed her hair back and held her face in his hand. He kissed her again. "You actually came."
"I would have caught you in North Carolina." She smiled as he kissed her all over her face. "But it took a while for the paperwork to come from North Dakota."
"Paperwork?" He pulled back and looked down at her confusion and wonder warring on his face.
Mina chuckled and reached for her handbag, pulling out the folder, and passed them to him. "I'm officially divorced."
"You didn't have to wait for that. I didn't care." He frowned.
"I did. I wanted to come to you free and clear of my past, and that's what it took for me to do that."
"Princess…" He sighed and pulled her into him again. "I understand, but the last three months have been pure torture for me. Do you know how many times one of the guys had to stop me from driving to Manteo?"
"Eighty-nine" She giggled "Les would text me, updating the number." Asher growled low in his throat and kissed her again. "I have a present for you." She reached for the folder again and pulled out the drawing she did over the last three months. It was of the waterfall and she had added them on the rocks with her lying with her head in Asher's lap. He took it from her and a slow smile crossed his face."
"I love it."
"I'm glad. I called it "The Moment."
"The Moment?" Asher raised his eyebrow.
"The full name is "The Moment I Fell in Love." Asher's expression softened completely and he laid it back in the folder.
"Give me two seconds." His voice was husky as he let her go, climbed back up onto the dock and collected all his groceries. "Come on. Let me show you the cabin." He helped her down into the galley where he laid the groceries on the small table. "But we're starting with the bedroom." He led her back and kissed her. "I love you Mina."
"I love you Asher."