“I sent flowers to that couple,” he said. “And a gift certificate to the spa.”

She smiled against his chest. “Did you apologize?”

“I did. In a note.”

She kissed him. “You’re a good guy, Joshua Park.”

“I’m an idiot.”

“No. You get to be upset.”

“I love you.” His voice was rough.

“I know, honey. I know.”

The stars burned in the sky, so bright on this moonless night it felt like a message. She kissed him again, more intently, suddenly aching for him, and tugged at his T-shirt. Her beautiful Josh. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her back, and tonight, they were more in love than ever before, desperate for each other, complete only with each other, hearts thumping, mouths seeking and finding, their bodies joined in the shelter of the bed.

He fell asleep after, exhausted from his rare anger, from their lovemaking.

She suddenly knew what to do. How to look after Josh when she was gone. As quietly as she could, she slipped out of bed and found her notebook.

THERE WERE A few things she wanted to do on this little trip. Snorkel and swim in the clear water. Take a horseback ride. Sleep in the hammock that was strung between two trees. Watch a porno. Hey! “Adult Selections” was part of the cable package that came with their suite, and she’d never seen one before. Clitty Clitty Bang Bang looked promising, even if it did ruin her childhood with its title alone.

Josh arranged everything. He had a hammock set up in the little garden that led to the beach. Shade, an arrangement of tropical flowers in a vase, a bottle of champagne. “My queen,” he said. “A nap on the beach awaits you.”

“Oh! How fabulous! A dream come true,” she said.

She climbed into the hammock, and Josh set her oxygen next to her and adjusted the cannula. He covered her with a soft blanket, because even though it was eighty degrees, she got cold easily. Then he sat on the lawn beside her, looking out at the gentle azure ocean. She reached out and stroked his hair, which gleamed in the sun. “I never knew anyone could ever love me as much as you do,” she said.

He looked at the grass, then back up at her, and those dark-lit eyes were shiny with tears. “Same here,” he whispered. “Same here. And you never know. I could die first. Get hit by a bus.”

“Look both ways, loser. The world needs you. Besides, when you’re a widower, maybe Beyoncé will be free.”

“I’d rather have one hour with you than a million days with Beyoncé.”

“Oh, please. You’re lying. I’d take Beyoncé in a heartbeat.” She traced his adorable ear with one finger. “You’re married to a woman with a terminal illness. Our life is a catastrophe.”