GRAVEL CRUNCHED AS the hired car pulled into Emmi’s driveway. Linnea stood on her driveway, separated by a line of narrow shrubs. She clutched her hands tight as the rear car door opened and she saw Gordon slide out. He was wearing a charcoal-gray suit and carrying a trench coat over his arm, all of which looked wrinkled. Even his hair was longer and disheveled.

“Gordon!” she called out.

He turned quickly, and though she couldn’t see his face behind his mask, his eyes crinkled. He raised his arm in greeting. “Linnea! I made it!”

The distance was killing her. He was so close, just across the driveway, not across some ocean. She fought the urge to run to him and feel his arms around her. Seeing him—in the flesh and not on some screen—made him real again. She was glad of the emotions that were bubbling up.

“It’s so hard not to come over,” she called out.

“I know. But it’s wonderful to see you.”

The driver approached, carrying two large suitcases. After the business was transacted, Gordon looked over to her again, his arms at his sides. Even from a distance she could feel his yearning to walk to her side.

“I’ve filled the fridge with beer and wine and cheese,” she called out. “There’s fruit, and some snacks. I’ll bring dinner over on a tray.”

“You don’t have to wait on me.”

“I want to.”

“Probably best you don’t. I wouldn’t want you to get sick on my account. Not after all this waiting. I’ll be fine with deliveries. The time will go fast. The hardest part will be knowing you’re next door.”

“Two weeks.”

“Ten days, if current research holds true.”

“All the better.”

“I could stand at the window. Send you paper airplanes.”

She wagged her finger at him. “Don’t.”

“Then it’s back to FaceTime.”

“And waves and blown kisses.”

“We’ll be Romeo and Juliet.”

“Do you remember how that ended?”

He laughed. “I’m glad I’m here.”

She felt suddenly teary. “I’m glad you’re here too,” she said, and meant it.

ANNA AND LINNEA sat side by side on the sand, their wet suits pulled down to their waists over their swimsuits. The days were getting warmer as May marched on, but the ocean had been brisk. They’d just finished surfing their favorite spot on Isle of Palms. They were taking a break to warm up.

Linnea luxuriated in the feel of the spring sun on her skin. It felt glorious to be stretching her palms down on the warm sand, feeling the kiss of the sun. She reached up to comb her hair with her fingers, letting it fall out in skeins to dry. John and Cooper were still out riding the waves. The surf was unremarkable, but it was enough to get one’s metabolism up and create that sense of connection to the sea. No matter the wave, there was contact with the water, the exertion of one stroke after another and balancing on a board, and at last the exhilaration of riding a rushing curl of water home.