Page 39 of The Truths We Find

“We get such little time together, between his training and such, I get why he would rather stay in,” I defend.

“Then what’s your excuse when he’s not home? When he’s gone for extended training and doesn’t come back for days? Or right now. He’s already been deployed for a bit, right? How many times have you gone out on the weekends with Alexa and just let loose?”

“I go out with her and Gavin after work a few times a week for a drink.”

“That doesn’t count and you know it. San Diego has an incredible night scene. Why aren’t you going out with your friends?”

“I don’t know⁠—”

“I think I do. Wanna hear it?”

I wince, letting a reluctant nod escape me.

Emmett takes my hand. “You’re worried if you go out and have fun, you won’t miss Sam anymore. And if you don’t miss Sam, then you might do something your head and heart have been fighting over for a while now.”

A chill runs down my spine. How the hell does he always know exactly what I’m thinking? It’s almost creepy. Emmett has this unnerving way of reading people like open books.

I hate that he’s right. I’ve been having doubts for a while. I love Sam. But sometimes I can’t tell if it’s my brain that says it, or my heart.

“I don’t know what to do.” I fight back the tears pooling in my eyes.

That’s the first time I’ve even come close to admitting the truth.

“Take it one day at a time,” he says. “Starting with this afternoon.”

My face scrunches in confusion. “What’s this afternoon?”

“We’re going to the beach. I’ve never been in the Pacific Ocean, and you’re not allowed to say no. I may have had a hunch you were going to need this, and I already coordinated it with Gavin and Alexa. In fact, we were supposed to meet them on the beach around the corner about ten minutes ago. Oops.”

My jaw drops. “You sneaky bastard. I don’t have a suit or anything with me.”

“All taken care of.” He grins.

Emmett flags down the server for the check and pays, and we make our way down to the beach.

We find Gavin and Alexa already settled on the sand. They’ve set up umbrellas, spread out beach towels, and unpacked bags filled with board and card games for us to play.

Alexa lounges on her towel in a green string bikini, while Gavin sits up next to her in low-hanging blue board shorts. He’s flipping through a book, the sunlight highlighting every curve of his sculpted body.

I swear, the two of them could be straight out of a swimsuit magazine. Alexa is lean and athletic, and Gavin—I didn’t think he could get any hotter than he was ten years ago. Time, clearly, has been kind. His abs are sharply defined, arms and legs honed to pure muscle, likely years of work in the repair business, and every inch of him glows with sun-drenched perfection. The sight of him makes my stomach drop, and for a moment, the beach seems to tilt around me.

Gavin looks up from his book and smiles at us. “About time you two showed!”

“Yeah, well, this one”—he points his thumb towards me—“wouldn’t stop going on and on about how in love she is with me, so it delayed things a bit.” He turns and grins at me before turning back to our friends. “I had to let her down gently. Try not to bring it up. It’s still too painful for her.”

“I’m devastated,” I deadpan.

“Em, how can you turn down a face like that?” Gavin chuckles.

“Always leave them wanting more, bro,” Emmett says, walking closer to the beach setup.

“You guys are ridiculous,” Alexa finally chimes in, sitting up from her towel. “D, I brought you a suit to wear.” She throws something black at me.

“Uh.” I hold it up. “Alexa, this isn’t mine. And there’s no way I can fit in one of yours.”

“I bought it this morning. It’s your size. Now go change!” she demands.

I sigh, knowing I’m not getting out of this, and make my way to the changing area.