Chapter 30

Claire guided the car along the road, stealing glances at Evelyn who sat beside her, a contented quiet stretching between them. The sun dipped low on the horizon, glistening off the ocean. As they approached a bend, Claire slowed and pulled the car over, parking half on the grass and half in the narrow shoulder, beside a low stone wall. She couldn't remember when exactly she'd discovered this spot, but if you didn't know it was there, you'd never find it.

Both women stepped out of the car to take in the stunning view before them, of the ocean stretching out endlessly in front of them.

"Come on," Claire said softly, helping Evelyn over the wall. They found the grassy ledge, hidden from the road, with a perfect view of the sunset. They were right on the edge of the cliff, but the area was big enough that it had never felt dangerous.

"How did you find this place?" Evelyn asked as she sat down on the grass.

"I don't remember. I guess, I just pulled over, probably on an evening like this, to take in the view or watch the sunset, but I had no idea that this was here. I just looked over the wall and there was this perfect patch of grass, tucked away from everything."

Claire settled behind Evelyn, wrapping her arms around her. She pulled Evelyn close, savoring the feeling of her warm body pressed against her own. Evelyn sighed contentedly, leaning back against Claire's chest and sinking into her embrace.

It was so hard for Claire to believe that this was their last evening together, that when they drove back, Evelyn would be making sure she had everything packed up and ready, her driver arriving at midnight to bring her to the airport. Claire had offered to, but Evelyn had told her that she couldn't handle saying goodbye in public, even if it was in an empty airport.

So, they'd have to say goodbye in just a few hours at the house, and Claire still couldn't grasp the fact that the day they'd been dreading had finally arrived.

The last few days had been an emotional rollercoaster. The chemistry they'd always had together in bed had gradually changed into something that Claire hadn't been prepared for. She'd nearly told Evelyn she loved her a few moments after they'd come together, their arms wrapped around one another, but Claire couldn't say it, afraid of Evelyn's reaction.

The rhythmic sounds of the ocean hitting the rocks below them mixed with the cry of seagulls. The sun slowly dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink. But Claire barely noticed the beautiful sunset, her attention fully captivated by the gorgeous woman in her arms.

Evelyn sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish I could stay like this forever."

Claire's heart ached at those words. "Me too," she said softly. She wanted to tell Evelyn that she'd be here waiting for her, that she could come back when the movie was finished. But Evelyn had been clear. She couldn't see herself coming out, and she didn't want Claire to wait for her.

It would probably be a year or more before Evelyn's schedule would allow her to return, and Claire knew she had to respect Evelyn's wishes, no matter how much it hurt. Evelyn had been the sensible one, pointing out all the reasons why they wouldn't work. But sitting here, with her arms around Evelyn, it felt like the most natural thing in the world, like they'd been together for years.

Claire tightened her embrace, pressing a gentle kiss to Evelyn's temple. She wanted to memorize every detail of this moment, to hold onto it forever. The feel of Evelyn in her arms, the scent of her hair, the way the fading light danced across her face.

Claire held Evelyn close as the sun disappeared behind the horizon, the sky slowly darkening. She knew their time together was coming to an end, but she wanted to savor every last moment.

As they stood up to leave, Claire took Evelyn's hand in hers, their fingers intertwining. They walked back to the car in silence, and Claire pressed her lips together as she started the car, willing herself to keep it together, reminding herself of the reason Evelyn was leaving. She had an amazing opportunity ahead of her, and Claire had to try and find some of Evelyn's realism. Their lives were so different, and the truth of it was that they were never going to work. The sooner Claire could get that into her head, the better.