Page 98 of Obsession (Temptation 4)

Lachlan

The fragrant, Hawaiian air wrapped around me as I stood on the shores of the beach mere yards from Eme’s restaurant, the rising sun just starting to bathe everything in light.

There was once a time when my only chance of witnessing the sunrise was if I hadn’t yet gone to bed the night before.

Now, I often found myself getting up before the sun, at least whenever I was on Oahu, simply because it made me feel closer to Piper.

And Claire.

Since they both loved to surf, both loved the waves first thing in the morning.

So when it was time to finally give my sister the farewell she deserved, there was no question in my mind that it needed to be a sunrise paddle-out.

I glanced to my right, meeting Dax’s eyes that were filled with emotion over the idea of saying goodbye to Claire. It was something I’d struggled with since I learned of her death.

But now that I knew the truth, now that I finally had the closure I’d been searching for, it was time.

They say that the truth could sometimes be a burden. But it could also set you free.

For me, this truth had set me free. From my guilt. From my regret. From my shame.

Now, I could live again.

And love again.

“You okay?” I asked Dax as Eme made her way around the small gathering of close friends and family, placing a lei over everyone’s head.

He nodded, giving Eme an appreciative smile as she placed the flowers around his neck. “I’m okay.”

“Do you know how to paddle that?” I gestured to the board in his hands. “And balance?”

He laughed slightly. “Claire taught me. Thought she was going to break up with me because of how uncoordinated I was when I first attempted to get on a board.” He swallowed hard, voice trembling. “But she didn’t give up on me. She never gave up on anyone.”

“No, she didn’t.” I held his gaze, an unspoken understanding filling the air. Then I grabbed one of Claire’s boards I’d chosen to take out in the ocean one last time and made my way toward the water’s edge.

“How are you holding up?” Julia asked, running her hand down my arm.

Back in July, I never thought I’d feel anything but anger when thinking of my sister and how her life had been stolen from her too soon.

How she had been stolen from me too soon.

But I’d learned to let go of my anger.

All because Julia made me realize I deserved to be happy.

I was still here. Still alive. And I wasn’t going to waste the chance I had at living a full life.

A chance Piper never got.

A chance Claire never got.

A chance dozens of women never got.

“I’m…good.”

She brushed her lips against mine. “Good.”

I helped Nikko push the outrigger into the shallows, Claire’s board under my other arm. Once he climbed into the boat, I helped Imogene and Julia into it, as well. Content they were safe and secure, I hopped onto the board, my stomach flush with the wood, and used my arms to paddle out past the breaking waves.