“Rowan—”
“I’m going back to the ship. I’ll see you at the wedding.”
I waited until he left the houseboat before I ran into the bathroom to puke up my guts.
The sun hung high in the clear blue sky, casting a golden glow over the beachfront as the gentle waves lapped lazily against the shore. It was an unusually warm October day in Florida, the kind of heat that clung to your skin and made the air shimmer like a mirage. The grainy sand beneath my feet felt scorching, and beads of sweat trickled down my back. The scent of salt and roasted chicken mingled in the air while seagulls cawed overhead, biding their time, waiting for scraps.
Guests in colorful sundresses and crisp linen suits milled about, the laughter of friends and the faint sound of music from a nearby speaker against the backdrop of crashing waves.
I held a hand over my eyes to shade them from the relentless sun that felt like a punishment for not stopping Rowan from leaving the houseboat earlier.
The hurt look on his face hit me right in the gut. I haven’t been able to keep anything down all day. I resorted to crunching on ice chips so I wouldn’t get dehydrated and do something stupid like pass out at my best friend’s wedding.
Jesse and True were having their wedding on Pleasure Point’s beach. Tents were set up for the reception, along with a big bridal tent and a smaller tent for the groom’s family. I sat on a white folding chair outside Jesse’s tent while he dressed.
Joy spotted me across the sand and walked toward me. The woman was elegant in everything she did. Even here on the beach, as the rest of us sweated our asses off through our wedding clothes, Joy looked dry and fresh as a freaking daisy.
“Hey, Kendra,” Joy said as she joined me. “You okay? You’re looking a little green.”
I popped an ice chip in my mouth and crunched down. “Went a little hard at the bachelorette party.”
“I heard it was a rager. Y’all closed it down?”
“Affirmative.”
“That’s a lot of mead,” Joy pointed out.
“Nope. Don’t talk of drinking right now,” I pleaded with her and crunched my ice. “It’s been a rough morning.”
“It’s three o’clock in the afternoon.”
“That should tell you how rough the morning is.”
Joy tsked softly and glanced around at the crowd gathering near the ceremony spot, a picturesque location featuring an arch with fragrant flowers. Everyone was bubbling with excitement, their smiles wide as they clustered together, eager to witness the happy couple exchange their vows.
As I caught sight of the beautifully decorated archway draped in sheer fabric, my stomach flipped at the thought of dinner. I sucked on another ice chip, trying to stave off the dry heaves that could have come from the hangover or the massive regret tearing up my insides.
“Where’s Rowan?” Joy asked. “I thought he was your plus one?”
I swallowed and willed the bile to stay in my stomach. “Not sure he’s coming.”
“What happened?” Joy crouched beside me.
I blinked back a few tears. “Remember how I spent years regretting things not said with—” I nodded toward the tent behind me.
Joy squeezed my hand. “I do.”
“This is so much worse,” I whispered. “I think Rowan told me he loved me this morning, and I said nothing.”
Joy hopped up with a whoop and threw a fist pump into the air. “Yasss! Queen!”
“What the fuck, Joy?” I tugged on the hem of her dress. “What’s gotten into you?”
She squatted back beside me. “I knew it! Oooh. Thorn owes me five bucks. We also have a friendly wager on… never mind. What’s wrong with Rowan telling you he loves you?”
“I couldn’t say it back.”
“You weren’t ready? I understand that. It’s a big step. You want to say it when you mean it, not because the other person says it,” Joy said, patting my hand. “If he gets his panties in a twist because you’re not saying it fast enough, then that’s on him. That’s not your fault.”
