"I'm sorry. The last thing I remember is giving Mitch what he deserved for--"
"For what?"
"Nothing. I remember breaking up with him, if you really have to know."
"That's good."
"I'm glad you think so."
"That's not what I mean. It's just that it makes what we have--"
"We don't have anything. All I remember is breaking up with my boyfriend and then I wake up with a headache from hell on a beach in the middle of nowhere with a gorgeous man lying next to--" She stopped herself. The asshole was smiling. How could she be so stupid?
"It's okay," he said, "you're confused."
She smiled at him for the first time.
"And I'm gorgeous." The smile left her face. "And you're adorable." He added. They stared at each other for a tense moment before a smile cracked Melanie's face again. Alex smiled too, an irresistibly sexy smile. In moments, the two of them were lost in crazy, hysterical laughter, lying on their backs side by side in the sand.
"This is all too much." Melanie said when the giggles finally subsided. "I just--"
"It's okay, really." Alex rolled up onto his elbow by her side. "You don't have to remember anything. Just take your time. Everything will come back. And even if it doesn't, well, I have no problem starting over again."
He put his hand out and gently caressed her cheek.
Could she really be in a relationship with this guy? He was the man of her dreams.
"How long have we -- uh..."
"Been together?"
"Yes."
"Not long. We were just getting started when the plane went down."
"What does that mean?"
"We met in the airport just before the flight and both of us knew there was something. We could feel it right away."
Melanie could feel it right now as well. Her headache was nearly gone and maybe it was the disorientation, the exotic surroundings, and the heat, but she wanted this man with all her heart. If only she could remember, she would take him right now.
"Then we met in the plane's private quarters and it was electric. We couldn't hold ourselves back--"
"Stop! That's enough. I don't want to hear anymore. I need to remember things myself. I don't need you putting thoughts in my head."
"You're right; forgive me, Melanie. Like I said, I'm happy to start all over again with you from scratch. Come on, we better get started taking a look around this island and see what's floated up on the beach from the plane and what we need to do to get set up for tonight."