Page 110 of I’m Already Gone

Sam

How’s date night, you two lovebirds?

Awesome. You should’ve seen how he set up the truck, Sam.

Ebony

Like old times?

Yeah. Like old times.

Sam

I can see he’s never stopped loving you.

Ebony

I second that!

Love was never the problem for me.

Sam

I know, which is why I want you to enjoy every single second tonight, Lily. Don’t waste another moment.

Ebony

Embrace it, girl! You deserve it.

Before I can reply, Ethan hops back into the driver’s seat.

“I don’t want to go home,” I declare suddenly, tucking my phone away.

“You don’t?” he asks, his hand hovering over the ignition.

“No. Unless you do?”

He shakes his head, a slow smile spreading across his face, chasing away the earlier sadness. He reaches across the console, his fingers tracing the line of my jaw. “I’ll go where you go, Sunshine.”

I smile up at him. “Good. Take me to the beach.”

Lily

“It’s so beautiful out tonight,” I murmur.

“Are you up for walking?” he asks, his fingers gently lacing with mine.

I take a breath, the salty air filling my lungs. “Yeah. I’ll be okay.” I squeeze his hand in reassurance.

We walk side by side, the rhythmic hush of the waves a balm to my nerves. It always has been. It’s the only sound that truly quiets the relentless war battling in my mind these days. Without consciously meaning to, I find myself leading him, my steps sure, toward the spot that forever changed our lives. The moment that opened the first chapter of our story.

I stop, my toes digging into the sand exactly where it all began.

Looking up at Ethan, I see his gaze sweep the deserted beach, taking in the familiar curve of the shoreline, the distant twinkle of city lights. Then his eyes drop to mine, and a slow, painful realization dawns in their depths. “Why did you lead us here, Lily?” he asks.

I glance around, the memories vivid, a lump forming in my throat. I take a steadying breath. “Because,” I begin, turning fully to face him, my hand still in his, “this is where we started.”

The night he proposed. Same beach. Same spot.