He set the dress on the counter and reached into his pocket for his cash. After paying for the dress, he turned to leave but hardly made it to the door before the employee stopped him.
“Sir, can I ask you a question?” he said.
Marco spun around. “Sure, what is it?”
“You look really familiar. I know I've seen your face somewhere,” the man said, stroking his chin. “I can't quite place it, but man, I swear I recognize you.”
Marco shook his head and pulled his hat down a little further on his forehead. “I get that all the time. I think I just have one of those faces. I assure you, you're thinking of someone else.”
Then he turned and left the gift shop before the man could reply. He walked quickly back to the cabin, chuckling to himself.
That was close, he thought. This was exactly why Sabrina was supposed to do all his shopping.
Marco quietly opened the door to the cabin and was greeted by the inviting smell of fresh coffee. He smiled as he heard Sabrina humming to herself in the kitchen. He did his best to conceal the dress behind him as he poked his head around the corner. Sabrina was standing at the stove making eggs, wearing only a t-shirt and panties. She turned around and smiled when she saw him.
“Hey,” she said, playfully putting her hand on her hips. “How long have you been standing there staring at me?”
“Not long enough,” Marco said, with a smirk. “I just got back from a little walk.”
“Yeah, I figured you had gone out to the beach or something,” Sabrina said.
“Actually, no,” he said. “I took a walk to the gift shop down the road and picked you up something.”
Sabrina's smile widened and she walked across the kitchen toward Marco. He continued to hold the dress around the corner, though, to keep it hidden.
“You're not supposed to do that,” she chided, but smiled widely at him and did an excited little dance. “But, I love surprises!”
Marco shrugged. “I wanted to get you something special to make up for the terrible boat tour yesterday.”
“What is it?” she asked, nearly jumping up and down. “Show me.”
Marco found her child-like impatience to be cute and endearing. Sabrina was so much fun and he loved that she got excited over the simplest of things.
“I'm not sure if you'll like it, but when I saw it I just had to buy it for you.” Marco stepped around the corner and held the dress out in front of him.
Sabrina gasped and then jumped up and down, snatching the dress from him. “This is beautiful! Marco, oh my gosh, it's perfect.”
She spun in a circle, her eyes fixated on her new dress. Then she carefully set it over the back of the couch and ran to Marco, embracing him in a hug. His smile was just as wide as hers. He realized that making her happy also made him happy.
“I'm glad you like it,” he said, before kissing the top of her head. “I wasn't sure. I know it's kind of bright, but I figured it would look really good on you.”
“It's so perfect,” she said, still squeezing him tight.
She pulled away and then stood on her tip toes, giving Marco a quick kiss. Her soft lips pressed into his and his hands drifted down her sides. He wanted more, but she spun around and walked back to the dress to admire it again.
“Should I put it on?” Sabrina asked. “What are our plans for the day? Maybe I can wear it out to lunch or something.”
“Save it for tonight,” Marco said, as he walked into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee. “It's our last day in Hawaii and I want to take you to a beautiful dinner. I did some research and there's a really nice sushi place on the beach, just a few minutes from here. I think that dress would be perfect for the occasion.”
Sabrina nodded in agreement. “Yes, that sounds great. I'll hang it up in the bedroom so it doesn't get wrinkly.”
She carried the dress around the corner, leaving Marco in the kitchen. He loved to see her happy, but his own emotion was still brought down by the fact he would be leaving for Orsino Island the following morning. Sabrina still hadn't made up her mind about going with him. He deeply hoped that she'd agree to accompany him back, but the thought of her not doing so created a sinking feeling in his gut.
I'm not sure what I'll do if she won't go to Orsino with me, he thought. She's the only girl in the entire world that I want to be with. Now that I've spent time with her, I can't imagine my life without her. She's the one for me.
Sabrina reappeared from the bedroom. She walked with a spring in her step, clearly excited about the surprise gift from Marco.
“I seriously can't wait for tonight,” she said, making her way back into the kitchen to turn the eggs in the frying pan. “I'm so looking forward to wearing that dress.”