Page 143 of I’m Already Gone

She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. “I love you too, Ethan.”

I press my lips softly to hers, a lingering kiss before resuming our stroll. One of our favorite places to visit is the old, weathered pier. Lily and I have spent countless hours out on that bridge, watching sunsets melt into the ocean and sunrises paint the sky. This time, I have a surprise for her, making it extra special.

Lily gasps as the pier comes into view. “Ethan. What did you do?”

Ahead, a small section in the middle of the pier glows with dozens of candles I set up, big and small, flickering on both sides.

I lock the brakes on her chair and reach behind, fumbling in the bag I packed. I pull out a thick lilac blanket, two pillows, and another, lighter blanket. I spread the thick blanket on the ground between the candles.

Turning back to Lily, I ask, “Can you stand up, or do you need me to carry you?”

She shakes her head, a hint of determination in her expression. “I can get up.”

I stand beside her, my hand hovering, ready to steady her if she needs me. With effort, Lily pushes herself up, pulling her sweater tighter around her. I guide her to the blanket, my hand resting lightly on the small of her back.

With my help, Lily eases down onto the blanket, her head finding the pillow. I follow, lying beside her and pulling her close, tucking the lighter blanket over us. She rests her hand on my chest, her fingers interlaced with mine.

Closing my eyes, I inhale the familiar scent of her lavender body wash. My Sunshine. I savor it, then open my eyes to watch the sky. It is slowly transitioning, streaks of yellow and orange bleeding into purple as the sun dips toward the horizon.

“It’s so beautiful,” Lily murmurs in contentment after a long while.

I glance down at her. “It sure is.”

We lay in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, taking it all in. The rhythmic crash of waves against the pilings below is the only sound, peaceful and endless.

“Ethan,” Lily speaks again, looking up at me through her lashes. “I have a confession.”

I frown. “What is it?”

She closes her eyes briefly, then reopens them with a sigh. “Do you remember sophomore year on your birthday?”

“Yeah,” I respond slowly, a memory starting to prickle at the back of my mind.

A hint of mischief dances in her gaze. “I was the reason you spent the night in the bathroom.”

I glare at her playfully. “I spent hours on the shitter because I couldn’t stop going to the bathroom, Lily!”

She laughs, a weak, raspy sound that quickly dissolves into a harsh cough, but she soon recovers. “I know. I’m so sorry. I didn’t want you to go on a date with Emma Pembroke.”

A rumble of laughter escapes me.

“Ah, shit, Lily,” I say, settling down from my laughing. “I wasn’t even going to go out with her.”

“You weren't?” Her eyebrows shoot up.

I shake my head. “I only had eyes for you.”

She blushes, a soft rose spreading across her cheeks.

“Since we’re swapping secrets,” I say, “I have one for you too.”

She scowls playfully. “What did you do?”

“I’m the reason Scott Hillshire stood you up at the skating rink, and I didn’t regret it,” I confess.

She looks at me, her eyes wide with bewildered amusement. “Is that why you ended up showing up instead?”

The corners of my mouth lift. “Yep. I knew even then that you belong to me, Lily,” I say, a little smug.