It was her birthday today. If things went right later, this was only the first birthday we抎 spend together. My gaze swept over the crowd, searching for her before I stepped into the water.
I shifted my board as I waded into the water. My chest ached every time I thought of her, every time I saw her face in my head. I paddled to my spot behind the break and remembered all the times we had spent out here together.
揥yatt Rhodes, Queen抯 Cove, Canada,?the announcer said over the speaker system and the spectators cheered loud enough for me to hear all the way out in the water.
Some things never changed. This town took care of its own.
I inhaled a deep breath, centering myself. The ocean lifted me as the waves rolled past. The cold water bit at my toes and fingers. Hannah flashed into my head, laying on her board with her eyes closed, soaking up the morning sun while her hair floated in the water around her head like a halo. I didn抰 push the image out, and I didn抰 cling to it. I let it stay where it was, noticed the sharp pang in my chest, and was grateful that I had experienced it at all.
A wave approached and I began to paddle. Everything went silent. Hannah hung around in the back of my head as I paddled harder and snapped up on my board at the right second. I shot forward on the water, balancing on my board and riding the wave, my heart beating out of my chest, the thundering sound of the wave in my ears. The flecks of water on my face. I crouched low on the board, skimming the surface, and my heart soared.
Two more times, I did this, this incredible thing that I never got used to. I left the beach in awe of the ocean, how it granted me the opportunity and interaction. I would soon do this for a living, if the sponsorship went through. Overwhelming gratitude flooded my chest.
And if it didn抰 work out, a life here, surfing every morning, with Hannah at my side if she抎 have me? That wasn抰 so bad.
It was a fucking dream.
People clapped me on the back, shook my hand, and congratulated me but my head whipped around as I searched for her. Emmett said something to me but I barely heard him.
Hannah. I had to find Hannah.
The crowd thinned as everyone headed to the street festival over on Main Street. That bright blonde hair was nowhere to be seen, and disappointment streaked through my gut.
She might be at her bookstore. I抎 stash my stuff and go find her. This wasn抰 over until I抎 said what I needed to say.
I was storing my board at the shop when the door opened.
揘o lessons for today,?I called over my shoulder, securing the board in the back of the shop. 揃eaches are closed today, but we can book you in for tomorrow.?
揟hat would be great.?
My heart shot into my throat at the sound of her voice and I stepped into the doorway. She stood at the front door looking like a fucking dream, in the blue and white linen dress.
I stared at her, heart racing.
揑抦 sorry,?she blurted out, her hands twisting together in front of her. She took a step forward. 揑 freaked out, and it had nothing to do with you. Actually,?she winced, 搕hat抯 not true, it had everything to do with you. I had this picture of what I wanted.?She shook her head. 揑 was so wrong, Wyatt. I was wrong about everything. I was wrong about you, I was wrong about the stupid birthday goals, I was wrong about trying to make my mom proud.?She clenched her eyes closed for a brief moment. 揂ll wrong.?
The hope in my chest was like a bubble. It could pop at any second, and it would hurt all over again.
But avoiding it wouldn抰 prevent that hurt, I reminded myself.
揗y dad signed the store over to me.?Her voice was a wobbly whisper.
揥hat?!?I let out a laugh of surprise.
She nodded with her mouth pressed firm into a line. 揕iya is going to be the manager. I spoke to her this morning and promoted her. And we decided to make Casey full time.?Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath and she watched me. 揑抦 going to run as much of the business as I can remotely.?
揜emotely,?I repeated.
One corner of my heart lifted but I waited.
揜emotely.?She pressed her mouth together in a line and twisted her hands again. 揑抦 coming with you if the offer still stands. Wherever you go, I want to be there too, because I love you. And I抦 in love with you. I lied when I said you were my practice guy.?Her face crumpled. 揟hat was a terrible, terrible lie, and I said it because I wanted to make it sound like you didn抰 mean anything but you do.?Her gaze lifted to me, pained and full of affection. 揧ou mean everything to me. I want to be brave with you.?
揧ou mean everything to me, bookworm.?My words were soft but immediate. Instinctive. 揟he offer still stands.?
She nodded and a tiny smile appeared on her mouth. 揟he offer still stands??