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“Monday. You?”

“Wednesday. We decided to stay a few extra days since we’re not coming back out for the Fourth of July because of play rehearsals.”

“Am I going to see you Wednesday then?” Sadie had no idea where the forwardness came from, but she decided to embrace it.

Ellie giggled. “You better.”

“Text me when you’re close to being home and I’ll meet you there.”

“Yeah?” Ellie’s smile and arched eyebrow would be the death of Sadie. She was pretty damn confident about that. “I’d like that.”

“Me, too.”

Ellie bit her lower lip before continuing. “Hey, so, I know it’s still a few weeks away. But Bray and I are having a birthday party. I want you to come. If you want.”

“I’m there,” Sadie responded with no hesitation. “The twenty-sixth, right?”

“You know my birthday?” Ellie giggled.

“Of course I do. I’m a good girlfriend.”

“You’re definitely my favorite.”

Sadie dramatically rolled her eyes as Ellie laughed. Ellie’s eyes moved away from the screen for a moment as Sadie saw her talking to someone else. She could tell by the voice it was Everleigh.

“Hey, sorry to cut this short, but Evie’s monitor fell off and I need to help her get a new one on.”

“No worries, babe. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Okay, talk to you then.”

Hanging up, Sadie stared down at her lock screen, which showed a picture of her and Ellie on the beach. Both were in their bathing suits, and a wave had just crashed into them. They grabbed on tightly to each other so as not to fall as the wave went over them. Sadie smiled at the memory and wished she was back at the Cape with Ellie.

A few more days.

I can make it a few more days.

Chapter 29

Ellie

Ellie’s brown eyes were glued to the phone as she watched her blue circle get closer to Sadie’s blue circle on the location sharing app. Sadie had already arrived at the Mackenzie house, and it would only be a few more minutes until they were back together again. Although it had only been a few days, it felt way longer to Ellie. She missed Sadie so much and couldn’t wait to see her again.

“Are you stalkingSadie?” Everleigh teased as she leaned into Ellie.

They were crammed into the third row of Blake’s SUV, along with Harper. Archer and Reese were in the middle row, while Alexis and Blake rounded out the vehicle. Her parents, Brayden, Chase, and Mason had all driven back in the Jeep with their dogs.

“I’m not stalking anyone.” Locking her phone, Ellie placed it on her lap. She turned slightly toward Everleigh and smirked. “Thank you very much.”

Everleigh rolled her eyes. “Whatever. It’s so obvious even Harper knows.”

“No she doesn’t.”

“Yes I do,” Harper interjected with enough conviction to make Ellie think that maybe shedidknow.

“Oh yeah?” Ellie teased her niece. “What do you know?”

“That you likeSadie, duh.” Harper’s eye roll looked identical to Alexis’s. “Everyone knows that.”