Chapter 16

Elle

The scent of fried shrimp and sea salt wafts through the air as I wait in a booth and watch Asher pull up in his Jeep. Sandy shorts and a faded Renegades tee cling to his tanned skin.

"Sorry I'm late, practice ran over," he says, leaning in for a lingering kiss. His lips taste of spearmint and promise, igniting a spark deep in my belly.

I glance away, fidgeting with the hem of my sundress. "It's fine."

He settles into the other side of the corner booth at Sand Dunes, gazing at me from across the table.

"What is it?" he asks gently.

I take a deep breath, that damn returning ache of loneliness and regret rising in my chest. "It's nothing, really. Just... things from my past."

Images flash through my mind. The gypsy lifestyle of threadbare dresses and broken promises, and loneliness lurking behind every corner.

Asher reaches across the table, enveloping my hands in his warm grasp. "You can tell me anything, Elle."

His touch soothes my frayed nerves, and the words tumble out in a rush. "I never stayed in one place long, always moving from town to town. Never had real friends or relationships, couldn't trust they'd last." I swallow hard. "What if this is just a dream? What if you leave like all the rest? You know, because hockey will eventually take you somewhere. I’ll be stuck here going to nursing classes."

"I'm not like the others, Elle." Asher gazes deep into my eyes, raw emotion etched into his handsome features. "You're my home now. I'm not going anywhere. If I do have to move, you can move with me and transfer schools."

A lone tear slides down my cheek as the ache in my chest begins to fade, replaced by a fragile hope I cling to with all my heart. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe Asher is the one who will stay.

"Promise me, Asher." The words slip out in a shaky whisper. "Promise me you'll try."

"Elle, I promise you with all my heart." His voice is firm, his green eyes full of determination and love. "I'm committed to proving myself worthy of your trust and love. We're,” his hand waves in the short space between our bodies, “in this. Me and you."

As our fingers intertwine, the warmth of his hand is reassuring. Despite the lingering shadow of doubt, I allow myself a cautious optimism. Can it be possible to finally break free from the chains of my past?

Just as we begin to feel a sense of comfort, the shrill sound of a text message notification pierces through the air, jolting me back to reality. My heart skips a beat, fear clawing at the edges of my newfound hope.

"Sorry," I mumble, pulling away from Asher's grasp to check my phone. The screen lights up with a message from an unknown number, and for a split second, panic overwhelms me. What if it's work and I have to go in again and leave Asher here all of the sudden? What if it's a reminder that happiness is fleeting, and all good things must come to an end?

"Is everything okay?" Asher asks, concern etched on his face.

Forcing a weak smile, I nod. "Yeah, just a spam text wanting me to join a gym." I laugh, trying to lighten my mood.

"Good." He seems to accept my explanation, reaching for my hand once more. "Let's finish our dinner, then we can go for a walk on the beach. I want to spend every moment I can with you."

As we resume our meal, the looming threat of the text message lingers in the back of my mind, a dark cloud threatening to rain on the delicate blossoms of hope. Am I just trying to self-sabotage this relationship?

I try to shake off the uncomfortable feeling as Asher and I continue our dinner conversation. I want to believe that he's sincere, that he truly wants to be with me despite my past and my fears. But the seed of doubt has been planted, germinating in the back of my mind.

"Elle, you're so quiet." Asher notices, his tone gentle. "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

I sigh, realizing it's pointless to hide my thoughts from him. "I guess I'm just scared, Asher. That text message... It was nothing, but it made me think about how easily things can change. How something could happen and, suddenly, everything we've built might come crashing down."

He squeezes my hand, his eyes locked onto mine. "I understand, Elle. But we can't let fear control us. We need to trust each other and communicate openly."

His words warm my heart, temporarily silencing my doubts. As we finish our dinner and head out for a walk on the soft sands of Love Beach, I try to focus on the present, on the connection we share, and the love that's blossoming between us. The waves crash against the shore, their soothing rhythm calming my racing thoughts.

"Look at the stars," Asher whispers, pointing up at the clear night sky. "Each one represents a possibility – a chance for happiness, growth, and adventure. Let's be brave."

I smile, squeezing his hand as we continue walking along the shoreline.