Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Jude

Past

The sun hangs low in the sky, casting everything in a golden glow. We have the beach to ourselves, not a soul here besides Ella and I. I have no idea why no one else has caught on that sunset is the best time to be at the beach. I’ll take the soft light, cool sand, and the world seemingly paused for us any day.

“Dream house?” I ask, kicking off another round of our endless game of twenty questions.

She buries her feet into the sand in front of us. “A craftsman. Wrap-around porch. All original doors, knobs, and flooring.”

“And here I thought you’d say an oceanside mansion.”

“Honestly, I think I’d feel lost in a mansion. I want something cozy, with character,” she replies. “But don’t get me wrong, if I had that kind of money, the oceanside mansion would for sure be my second home.”

I bump her with my shoulder. “An oceanside mansion might be a little outside of my salary, but a craftsman…I could do a craftsman.”

“Sounds better than any fancy new home, doesn’t it? There’s history. A story,” she murmurs, resting her head on my shoulder as the last sliver of sun dips below the horizon, the sky deepening to a dark blue.

“You already know you won me over with the history part,” I grin, feeling the muscles in her cheek smile against my shoulder. “Do you ever wonder what our lives will be like? In ten, twenty, or even fifty years?”

“I actively try to not think that far ahead.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I’m scared of what I’ll find.” She sighs. “I’m a broke, part-time exercise instructor, living off the generosity of my best friend. Unless there’s some groundbreaking change, I don’t foresee my life getting significantly better.”

“That’s not how I see you.”

“Well, you’re different.” She elbows me. “For some odd reason, you seem to enjoy my company. That’s a rarity, you know.” I can see the doubt and vulnerability dripping off of her. She’s attempting to play it off as a joke, but it kills me to know she truly believes that people don’t enjoy being around her.

I put a finger beneath her chin, tipping her face to look at me. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. The way I see it is you’re a gorgeous, highly intelligent woman that’s been dealt a bad hand of cards in the parental department. But somehow you’ve still managed to stay on your feet. You’re resilient. You’ve found a job you love, you’re paying your own way through college?—”

“ Community college,” she points out.

“It’s still college.” I continue, “You’re doing a hell of a lot better than most twenty-one year olds. You’re not out there drinking and partying. You made a good decision for your mental health and boundaries to not live under the oppressiveness of your parents’ roof anymore. You’ve made good choices in life that are putting you on the right path for the future.”

Her smile falters, her eyes growing watery as she processes what I’ve told her. She may not believe it herself, but luckily I believe in her enough for the both of us.

“Thank you. For thinking I can do this,” she whispers. Then, with a smirk, she tries to lighten the mood. “You know, you’re pretty good at this. Someday you should lead one of those TED Talks you love so much. I think I foresee that in your twenty-year plan.”

“Oh trust me, it’s definitely a part of my twenty-year plan. I’ve already started drafting ideas for it.”

“You haven’t,” she deadpans.

“Don’t look so horrified.”

“I’m not horrified, I’m just trying to figure out how one person can be packed with so many good qualities. You’re unreal, in the best way possible.”

We sit together, staring out to where the sky meets the sea. After a moment, I break the silence. “Hey, I got you something.”

She looks at me like I’ve gone mad, as if I’ve handed her the keys to a brand-new car. “You know you don’t need to buy me things. I always feel guilty when people buy me stuff.”

“I know, but I couldn’t help it. I saw it in a storefront window downtown and immediately thought of you, and of our summer here.”

I fish the delicate chain out of my pocket. “Here, turn around.”

She narrows her eyes at me, suspicion tinged with curiosity, but she turns and pulls her hair to the side anyways. I reach around, fumbling slightly with the delicate clasp before settling the necklace around her neck. Once I’m done, she glances down at the tiny golden wave dangling from the chain—a minimalist squiggle, simple yet elegant. “Jude, it’s gorgeous.”

I gently brush my thumb over the small pendant resting against her skin. “I never want to forget this summer with you.”

She smiles up at me, the sunlight catching the golden hues of her eyes. “We won’t.”