Page 41

Chapter 41

Emilie

My dress, pink like the color of Zack’s favorite shorts, trails behind me as I walk to the beach. I tried this one on and quickly changed out of it before Zack could see me, so it’d be a surprise on the trip. I even got ready with Eliza and her bridesmaids so I wouldn’t risk running into him in our room.

The sun beats down on me as I walk out to our spot from the other night. The beach isn’t very busy, and I’m thankful for that. Closing my eyes, I put my hand on my chest, feeling for a heartbeat I know is racing. With excitement. With a dash of nervous energy.

A smile has been living on my face almost the entire day. From what felt like a silent resolution with Mitch last night to thinking of Zack and I on the balcony. It’s almost like I’m about to get everything I want.

I feel lucky.

I check my phone and it’s five minutes until four. Trying to stay off the beach until it was almost time was much harder than I thought it’d be. It’s like Christmas morning when you wake up at five in the morning to see if Santa came or not.

The spa day was perfect for Eliza and me. It let everyone chill out, spend time with themselves and their thoughts, while being with others. It gave me the space to think about what I wanted to say to Zack.

Surprisingly, the words have been difficult to nail down.

When I’m with him, I don’t worry about being too much—he never wants me to tone myself down. He likes to match my energy or help lift me up closer to his when I’m lower than usual. Zack encourages me to be honest—say how I’m feeling or what I want. He looks at me like I’m something worth keeping.

He makes me feel like I’m worth keeping.

It’s like I’ve held out for someone like him, my whole life. He’s someone I could love, day in and day out. And I feel like he’d let me.

I put my head in my hands, thinking about love—what that means, how it fits in my life, as the waves crash on the beach. How it seems like so much work until you meet someone and you enrich each other’s lives.

I’m not saying I love him.

But I’m not saying I don’t either.

While I’m waiting for Zack to find me, the minutes stretch and feel too long. I watch as people from the wedding start heading toward where we’re having the rehearsal.

Checking the time, I see he’s fifteen minutes late—no texts or calls from him.

Where is he?