“I think Paddy must have gone to the Duncan school of bartending,” I said.

Josh took a small sip of his drink. “I hear you. Besides lime, I can’t even figure out what’s in here.”

“Basically, a shit-tonne of booze.”

“Well, that, yes. It’s good, though. Better than Duncan’s.” He held his cup aloft, “Sorry, Duncan, wherever you are.” I giggled. Even if he was there, I didn’t think Duncan would have cared. He probably would have agreed.

I turned to look at the ocean. The sun had set hours before, but there were lights from the houses along the coast reflecting onto the water, and the sky was clear, and the moon was full. How cool to get a full moon on New Year’s Eve.

“God that’s beautiful!” I said. “Look!”

“I hadn’t even realised it was going to be a full moon. Come on.” He stood and held out a hand. I tucked my clutch under my arm so I could hold both his hand and my drink, and we found the gate that led out to the beach.

“Hang on,” I said, as I stopped to slip off my sandals. I left them next to the gate.

“Oh, yeah. Good thinking.” He let go of my hand to take his shoes and socks off, tucking them next to my sandals, then took my hand again, smiling at me. God, that smile. Utter Swoonsville.

We walked towards the water and then slowly along the beach, occasionally letting a gently lapping wave catch our feet. The sand was gritty, not the powdery soft sand I’d imagined Hawaii’s beaches to be made from, but I didn’t mind. It made me aware of every step, a reminder to savour these moments with Josh. We only had two days left together and I felt a sudden twinge of sadness.

It’s too soon to have to say goodbye again. We’ve only just got back in sync.

“So, New Year’s resolutions?” Josh asked, a smile in his voice.

“Sorry?” I’d been completely lost in my gloomy thoughts.

“What was it that Duncan would say? ‘You off with the fairies?’” I laughed.

“Oh, I miss Duncan,” I whined.

“Yeah, he’s a good bloke,” he said in the worst Aussie accent I’d ever heard.

“Wow, busting out the Aussie-isms. Look at you!”

He pulled me close to him. “No, look at you.” Then he kissed me. It was one of those Nicholas Sparks movie kisses, all dreamy and moonlit and scrummy.

“You’re a pretty romantic guy, you know,” I said, resting my cheek against his chest. He put his arms around me and I sighed. How lovely to be held like this.

Especially after I’d spent months going home to my flat alone. Sure, I’d been filling my life with new endeavours and outings, but once I’d realised that I did want to be in love, to have a partner and make a life with them, I’d become acutely aware of that empty spot next to me in my bed. No number of cuddles from Domino could make up for what I missed—feeling like I did in that moment with Josh—