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Sam

How’s date night, you two lovebirds?

Awesome. You should’ve seen how he set up the truck, Sam.

Ebony

Like old times?

Yeah. Like old times.

Sam

I can see he’s never stopped loving you.

Ebony

I second that!

Love was never the problem for me.

Sam

I know, which is why I want you to enjoy every single second tonight, Lily. Don’t waste another moment.

Ebony

Embrace it, girl! You deserve it.

Before I can reply, Ethan hops back into the driver’s seat.

“I don’t want to go home,” I declare suddenly, tucking my phone away.

“You don’t?” he asks, his hand hovering over the ignition.

“No. Unless you do?”

He shakes his head, a slow smile spreading across his face, chasing away the earlier sadness. He reaches across the console, his fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “I’ll go where you go, Sunshine.”

I smile up at him. “Good. Take me to the beach.”

Lily

“It’s so beautiful out tonight,” I murmur.

“Are you up for walking?” he asks, his fingers gently lacing with mine.

I take a breath, the salty air filling my lungs. “Yeah. I’ll be okay.” I squeeze his hand in reassurance.

We walk side by side, the rhythmic hush of the waves a balm to my nerves. It always has been. It’s the only sound that truly quiets the relentless war battling in my mind these days. Without consciously meaning to, I find myself leading him, my steps sure, toward the spot that forever changed our lives. The moment that opened the first chapter of our story.

I stop, my toes digging into the sand exactly where it all began.

Looking up at Ethan, I see his gaze sweep the deserted beach, taking in the familiar curve of the shoreline, the distant twinkle of city lights. Then his eyes drop to mine, and a slow, painful realization dawns in their depths. “Why did you lead us here, Lily?” he asks.

I glance around, the memories vivid, a lump forming in my throat. I take a steadying breath. “Because,” I begin, turning fully to face him, my hand still in his, “this is where we started.”

The night he proposed. Same beach. Same spot.