Epilogue

Ever since Christmas things had been awkward between Galvin and Sail, and it was all her fault. Sail wanting to pay her was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her. Not accepting the money hurt because there would’ve been so much relief heading into her first year of law school. Having two stress free semesters was what anyone would wish for.

Except she didn’t want it to become part of their relationship.

And yet, it had.

Galvin would start school the second week of January. She had her schedule, her books, and had modified her schedule with Penny and Jack to where she’d work a couple nights a week and Saturday evenings. This would give her ample time to not only study, but also to take the commuter train into Boston. It was a little over an hour each way and she’d use that time to study as well.

The plan was for Sail to leave the weekend before he was due to start the semester at the University of Miami. Jack would drive down with him and fly back after Sail was settled in a dorm, away from the frat house. He didn’t want to return to the party scene and intended to double up his course load so he could graduate on time.

Galvin would go to Miami for spring break, and Sail would come back to Seaport for his. They’d talked about this a few times, to ease the distance between them. Galvin still had reservations about whether they’d make it until May when Sail graduated.

Now, she wasn’t sure they’d make it until the end of January.

She was finishing up with her customer when Sail came into the diner. He sat on his favorite red vinyl stool, which was smack dab in the middle of the counter. It always seemed to be empty when he came in by himself.

Galvin greeted him from the other side. “Hey.” It was their usual greeting, but her voice seemed questioning, like she wasn’t sure if she should talk to him or not. She hated feeling this way—wondering where they were—which was exactly why she didn’t want to get involved with him or anyone for that matter.

“Are you almost done?”

She nodded. “Can I get you something?”

Sail shook his head. “How about a chocolate milkshake?” His fingers touched her hand.

Was everything okay?

Did she read too much into things?

Galvin hated making milkshakes or anything that had to do with ice cream. It was one of the messiest jobs at the diner. Still, she didn’t balk when her boyfriend asked for one. She scooped, added milk, stuck the metal cup on the machine, and went through the motions Penny taught her. After pouring it into a tall glass with scalloped edges, she added whipped cream, some crushed peanuts, and a cherry.

“Here ya go.” She set it down, along with the metal cup, which had the remainder of the milkshake, and then lingered . . . awkwardly. Should she stand there and watch him drink his shake or go clean something?

They had things that needed to be said. What those things were, Galvin had no idea. She felt a heavy pressure on her chest, and considered crying ten times a day, thinking it would help. The times she had cried didn’t do anything for her, except make her feel worse.

Galvin lingered until Sail finished his milkshake. She gave him the bill because he always paid for his expenses at the diner. He gave her enough to cover the bill and a tip, which made her feel uncomfortable. They were dating and it felt like he was paying her.

Sail followed her through the kitchen door, waited for her to clock out and toss her apron in the bin, and then walked behind her as they left through the backdoor. By the time they made it to her small platform, she had tears in her eyes. Everything told her he was there to break-up with her.

All because she wouldn’t take his money.

Shouldn’t that have been a noble thing?

Galvin opened the door and moved the light switch up to the on position, lighting up the kitchen. She set her key on the counter, turned and leaned against it.

“What’s up?” she figured if she kept her tone even and friendly, he’d tell her nothing and she’d just find a way to get over her feelings.

Sail kept his distance and her heart fell.

“Just say it,” she said quietly as she looked down at the ground.

“I know you start school on Monday and I’m trying not to ruin that for you, but I’m heading back to Miami tomorrow.”

The words echoed in her mind. He was leaving and he wouldn’t be there when she started one of the most important days of her life.

Galvin nodded. There wasn’t anything she could say to change his mind. She’d known from day one he would return to Miami. The when shouldn’t matter.

“Galvin.” Sail stepped forward but she held up her hand.

“It’s fine, Sail. I’m fine.”

“I’d like—” He didn’t have a chance to finish whatever he planned to say because he had her in his arms. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry,” she mumbled into the crook of his neck. “I get it.”

“I think it’ll just be easier for both of us,” he said. “You’ll want to study, and I don’t want to annoy you by needing attention.”

Galvin nodded. His reasoning made since, regardless of her heart breaking. She fought back a wave of tears, refusing to show him any emotion.

“I need to be up early,” she said. “I have a practice run into the city so I’m going to go to bed.” She stepped forward and forced her arms around him.

“Good, I’m tired anyway,” he said as he locked the door and turned off the kitchen light. She looked at him oddly. “What?” he shrugged. “Did you really think I wouldn’t spend our last night together?”

“I just?—”

Sail cupped her face and kissed her, long and soft. “I love you, Galvin. I’m not sleeping in my bed on my last night in town. Especially when I want to be in yours.”

“Okay, I need to shower.” Galvin removed herself from his hold and disappeared into the bathroom. She locked the door and turned on the shower to drown out her sobs. This day had been coming for a long time and she should’ve been prepared, but knowing it was going to happen tomorrow really sucked.

Galvin sat on the blanket she kept in her locker at school and read her constitutional law textbook. Every so often she wrote on a sticky note and flagged the page, careful not to use highlighter in her book since it was a rental.

She flipped the page and then looked around. The park always had people in it, no matter what time of the day. It had quickly become one of her favorite places in Boston, especially when the weather was nice. It was Sail who suggested she check it out. In fact, he had given her a list of places to visit and eat. On rainy days, she went to the Boston Public Library and studied among the other students, or she met with her study group at school.

Sail and Galvin were in a place—the place being they were together, but not—and it only made sense to them. They didn’t worry about having a set time to talk because neither needed the pressure of missing an appointment. Instead, they texted throughout the day and if they were free to video chat, they would. This worked for them.

When he’d given her the gift at Christmas, of him paying for her tuition, he hadn’t told her it was a done deal, and she hadn’t found out until she was summoned to the finance office and was told about the anonymous donor. Of course, she knew it was Sail, and of course, the donation messed up her aid package.

There was nothing she could do about it and when she brought it up to him, he promised to make sure everything would be fine. “Trust me, Galvin.”

Right now, she had no choice, and she had time to figure things out. Her first two semesters were paid, and she had a little bit of a cushion especially with the money she’d earned.

Galvin finished her reading, packed her things, and walked toward the T station. She’d take the commuter rail back to Seaport, and then relax for the night. Tomorrow, she’d get up, go to school, and then go to work. She had a nice routine down, going to the Carter’s on Sunday for dinner.

After over an hour, Galvin slipped her key into the lock, dropped her bag onto the floor, and yelped. One hand went to her heart and the other clutched the edge of the counter. Sail stood in the middle of her kitchen, with a grin on his face.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice full of excitement.

“I hate Miami,” he said, staying where he was. “But the thing is, I never hated it until I met you, and now I’m there and it’s the worst place ever. It’s too hot, too many people, the sand isn’t right . . .”

“The sand?”

Sail shrugged. “Among other things.”

“Okay.” She closed the door and stepped closer. “Hi,” she said when she was in front of him.

“Hey.” Sail leaned down and kissed her.

“Do your parents know you’re here?”

He nodded. “I couldn’t do this without them.”

“Do what?”

Sail took a step back, putting a little space between them. “Be there without you.”

“I think that is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

He smiled.

“But I’m worried. Did you drop out?”

His eyes widened. “No, I transferred to Boston University. My dad pulled some strings I didn’t know he had. I won’t be able to graduate in May, more likely December, but I’ll be here. With you.”

It took a moment for the words to sink it. “Wait, what?”

He smiled again and stepped to her. “You heard me. Tomorrow, when you drive to the train station, we’ll be driving together. I’ll take the commuter rail with you and then transfer to another line. I’ll go to BU while you slay in law school. And then we’ll take the commuter home and pretend to be domesticated. Rinse and repeat.”

Galvin really loved this idea, and it was far better than seeing him for a week here and there.

“And then what? Are you staying here to take over the family businesses?”

He shook his head. “I had a long talk with my parents. There’s something out there that I really want to focus on.”

“Which is?”

“Environmental law, especially where marine life is concerned. They need a voice, and someone has to stop those developers from killing them.” He shrugged. “That’s something I’m passionate about. Those animals and the water need to be protected.”

Galvin trailed her fingers down the side of his face. “I’m so proud of you.”

He turned slightly and kissed her palm.

“I’m really going to love having someone to take the train with me every day.”

Sail smiled. “I can see us now eating grilled blueberry muffins and coffee while I quiz you one whatever you need to have memorized.”

“My days just got better.”

Sail pulled her into his arms. “From the day I met you, my days were better, and now my future is finally on the right track. You changed me, Galvin. You showed me I could be what I wanted without compromising what my family expected of me. I’m so in love with you, it hurts.”

“Well, I hope it doesn’t hurt too much because I don’t want to cause you any pain.”

Sail laughed. “All good, I promise.”

“Perfect.” Her fingers played with the ends of his hair. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“And I’m not going anywhere.” He pressed his lips to hers. “I’m sorry to say, you’re stuck with me.”

“It’s a good thing I love you then,” she said with a sigh and laugh.

Sail rolled his eyes.

“But since you’re here, maybe we can talk about that anonymous donation that paid for my tuition.”

With another eye roll, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to bed. Galvin could protest, but what was the point. He’d won money and instead of investing it in himself, he invested in her.

Now, she’d invest in him.