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Somewhere beneath all this happiness, a familiar dread begins to stir, warning me that I’ve just done the one thing Peyton will never forgive.

I’ve taken away her power to keep us apart.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Peyton Crawford, it’s that she doesn’t take losing well.

Still, I refuse to let that thought ruin this moment.

Not today.

Not when Milo is looking at me like I’ve just handed him the entire world.

So I push the fear aside, wrap my arms tighter around his neck, and get lost in our kiss.

Let Peyton watch.

Let the whole fucking world watch.

I’m done being afraid.

They can’t hurt us anymore.

Chapter 35

Friday

There have been plenty of events during this reunion week that I’ve happily blown off, and tonight’s vigil is definitely one I would’ve loved to add to that list.

Unfortunately, after Peyton’s little unannounced visit earlier today, staying back at the B&B was no longer an option. I need to be here, if only to prove to that bitch that I’m not afraid of her or whatever threats she thinks she can throw my way.

Besides, even if I wanted to skip it, Sienna would’ve dragged me here kicking and screaming.

“Keep your eyes peeled,” she tells me as we make our way toward the town square, where a sizable crowd has already gathered, waiting for their beloved mayor to begin the proceedings.

And by sizable, I mean it looks like half of Fairhope has decided to show up tonight.

The square has been transformed into something resembling a scene from a Hallmark movie, albeit one with a much darker backstory. White ribbons hang from the lampposts, flower arrangements line the pathways, and hundreds of battery-operated candles flicker across the grass surrounding the memorial. Someone has even strung white lights through the branches of the old maple trees, casting a soft glow over the crowd.

Though Fairhope’s population has changed considerably since I last lived here, I still recognize more faces in tonight’s crowd than I care to count. Former teachers, old neighbors, parents of kids I went to school with. Plenty of people I haven’t seen in years and a few I was hoping never to see again. Then there are the people I never should have lost touch with.

I spot Betty and Bill standing nearer to the front, both looking solemn as they exchange quiet words with a couple I vaguely remember from back in the day.

A little farther away, I see some of the classmates Sienna and I had brunch with last Sunday. They’re huddled together, looking as though they’d rather be anywhere else.

Can’t say I blame them.

There’s something deeply unsettling about seeing so many familiar faces gathered in one place, especially when the whole reason we’re here is to remember the ones who are no longer with us.

And for the Cushmans, whose son is among those being remembered tonight, I can only imagine how painful it must be to have that old wound ripped open all over again.

Shit. It’s the Roys. That’s who they’re talking to. Paige’s parents.

My heart clenches at the sight of the two families standing together, united by a grief I couldn’t prevent.

“Are you looking?!” Sienna elbows me in the ribs, snapping me out of my thoughts.

For once, I’m grateful for her brute force. The sharp sting in my side is a welcome distraction from the much deeper ache in my chest as I force myself to look away from the Cushmans and the Roys.

“Didn’t I tell you to keep your eyes peeled?”