Page 166 of Perfume Girl

Then he gave me a wide grin. “The sea turtles are hatching.”

I got to my feet in a rush. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

He threw an apologetic wave to the concierge, then grabbed hold of my hand and we hurried out onto the curb.

“Every day I’m reminded how perfect you are for me,” he said, and then frowned when he noticed the expression on my face. “What’s wrong, Raquel?”

I pointed to the bee resting on the windshield of our car. Astor gave a nod, reaching around and gently cupping the bee in his palm.

He walked a few steps and opened his hand to set it free. “There you go, little guy.”

We watched it fly away.

When Astor returned to my side, I rested my head against his chest.

“You okay?” he asked.

“With you I am, yes.”

“This is my job, Raquel, to protect you from the beasties no matter what size they are.”

“And my job is to love you so much that I make up for everything you’ve been through.”

He pulled me into a tighter hug. “You already have, Mrs. Beauregard.” He tilted his head. “Just trying it out on you.”

“It sounds perfect.”

“You’re perfect, Raquel, and I’m crazy in love with you.”

My sigh was wistful. “I love you so much, Astor. You make me so happy.” A few moments later, I gasped and looked up at him. “We have turtles to save.”

Within twenty minutes, Astor and I were walking across the sand heading toward the conservation team. The gang waved when they saw us.

Astor beamed at me. “Look at the moon.”

My gaze rose, taking in the brightness of the light reflecting off it and the way it beckoned to us so brilliantly.

“Lumière,”he whispered. “A light that leads the way to freedom.”

This was wisdom…to live in the present moment and be the best version of myself, showing gratitude for all I had been blessed with.

With our fingers entwined, Astor led me farther down the golden sandy beach. I knew the light I had been searching for all my life washim.

And I wanted to share this great love with the whole world in every conceivable way.