Thirty-Two
EVIE
Why does it feel like one of us is dying?
Cal’s hands are tight on the boat’s wheel. He hasn’t said a word since dinner last night. It’s like I can see his heart breaking all over his face. I hate it.
I hate this.
I had to force myself to reread every letter from T this morning. To make myself get out of bed. To make myself get dressed and get off the island. Fire Island will always be the place where I found myself. Where my heart bloomed. Where my soul cracked wide open.
I loved every moment of it.
And I will do everything in my power to make certain Cal stays undisturbed, safe on his island. The way he wants.
So, why does the thought of him there alone—more accurately, without me—feel so damn wrong?
I once heard a saying. It went something along the lines oflove will always take sacrifice.
And this feels like the ultimate sacrifice.
Leave the man.
Leave him safe.
Break my heart to save his.
A fair and noble price to pay in light of all that’s been lost to my cowardice in this situation thus far. In theory, I’m a brave woman scorned. I hope when the reality manifests I still hold that bravery.
God, I hope so.
I swallow around the stone wedged in my airway.
The marina comes into view, and my heart starts to race.
This is it. The last minutes of being part of Callum McCreary’s life. My grip on my bag tightens. Air, short and swift, burns my lungs.
I knew it would.
It’s better than I deserve.
He throttles down and we glide into Firefly’s slip. I move to the side, rolling the bumpers over the side as the boat closes in on the gangway. Look at me, doing sailorly things like I belong on this old tub. My first mate status, coming a little too late.
When the engine splutters out, I can’t look at Cal.
Emmett jogs toward us, and I shake my head and suck in a breath.
“Hell, Miss Evie, how are nine months up already?” He holds a hand out to me, and I disembark.
“Thanks.” I land safely on the jetty. “Time flies when you’re...”
I can’t even finish the sentence.
“You taking Evie to the bus stop, Cal?”
Cal is busy tying off as he says, “Can’t. Gotta get Iris and head over to Rockland for the restoration meeting. You take her, Em.”
“I’m right here,” I breathe.
