She took her time getting ready—denim shorts, a white linen top, sandals. Something effortless. Something that said she hadn’t spent twenty minutes thinking about what to wear even though her heart was racing.
A swipe of mascara, a touch of lip balm, and she was ready.
Descending the stairs, she found Mallory in the kitchen, coffee in hand, her expression already knowing.
"You’re glowing," Mallory smirked over the rim of her mug. "Something tells me that’s not just from good sleep."
Savannah rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Shut up."
"I won’t," Mallory teased, leaning against the counter. "Not when you’ve spent years pretending Chase was just an old friend. And now you’re practically floating down the stairs? Spill."
Savannah hesitated, chewing on her lip. "He texted. Wants me to meet him at the marina."
Mallory’s grin widened. "Oh, girl. This is it, isn’t it?"
Savannah inhaled deeply. "I don’t know," she admitted. "But it feels… different. Good different."
She hesitated, guilt tugging at her. "I feel bad leaving you. We planned to hang out today."
Mallory waved her off, setting her coffee down. "Savy, stop. You’re allowed to have this. We’ve been talking about him for years. And now? He’s finally showing you what he’s been holding onto. I’d be pissed if you didn’t go."
Savannah exhaled, the tension in her chest loosening. "You’re sure?"
Mallory rolled her eyes. "If you don’t walk out that door in the next five minutes, I will take your place."
Relief flooded Savannah as she hugged her best friend quickly.
"You’re the best."
"I know," Mallory said with a wink. "Now, go make some memories."
Savannah didn’t take her car. The marina was only a few blocks away, and she wanted the walk—the crisp ocean air, the way the morning sun kissed her skin, the electric anticipation thrumming beneath her ribs.
Her mind raced with questions as she made her way down the quiet streets.
Where was this going?
Could they really do this?
Could they erase years of what-ifs and turn them into something real?
Or had last night just been a beautiful moment in time, one that would fade with the morning light?
She didn’t know.
But she wanted to find out.
As she rounded the corner, the marina came into view, the gentle lapping of water against the docks filling the quiet morning air. Boats bobbed in their slips, their white hulls glistening beneath the sun. The scent of salt and fresh morning air wrapped around her, calming, centering.
And then she saw him.
Chase.
Leaning against his truck in the gravel lot, arms crossed, looking every bit the boy she had fallen for all those years ago—only now, he was a man who knew exactly what he wanted.
Her.
17
