EPILOGUE
The August sun blazed overhead as Clare and Alicia let themselves into the beach house. They’d been dating for three months now, and it had been pretty great so far. Alicia had a new job that allowed her to work from home and avoid interacting directly with clients, and Clare had gotten better about not making herself available 24/7 to her coworkers.
It had taken some time for Alicia to let down her guard and settle into a relationship, and their demanding work schedules often meant they didn’t have as much time to spend together as they might have liked, but Clare wasn’t complaining. Life was good, and they’d finally managed to sync their schedules for a weekend at the beach…a much-anticipated return to the place that had brought them together.
“It’s nice to be back,” Alicia commented as she pushed her suitcase into the bedroom where Clare usually stayed. This time, they would be sharing a room. Rue ran ahead of them and leaped onto the bed, barking her happiness to be at the beach.
“So nice,” Clare agreed. “I wish we’d been able to make it back in time to see the baby turtles hatch, but maybe we can do that next summer.”
“Definitely next summer.” Alicia had on a black cotton dress, her hair pulled into a windblown ponytail. She looked lighter and happier than Clare had ever seen her, and her heart soared at the way Alicia didn’t even hesitate to make plans with her for next summer.
“I’ve always wanted to see that, you know, all those babies coming out of the nest,” Clare told her. “They call it a boil because the sand looks like it’s boiling when they churn it up on their way out.”
Alicia gave her a quick kiss. “And now I want to see it too.”
“Then we have to make it happen.”
They left their bags in the bedroom and walked to the kitchen for a glass of water as Rue ran circles around them, impatient to go outside and explore the beach.
“Oh look, Lex and Brandi left us a note.” Alicia picked up a piece of note paper that had been resting beneath a seashell on the counter. Her and Clare’s names were written on the front. Alicia unfolded it and began to read. “Alicia and Clare, we have a small confession to make, now that we’re pretty sure you’ll find it funny and not want to wring our necks.”
“Uh oh,” Clare said with a laugh.
Alicia scrunched her nose. “It wasn’t a mix-up that brought you both here in May. The truth is, we’d always suspected you would make a cute couple, so we decided to give you a chance on your own to see if we might be right. And now we get to say, ‘we told you so,’ because you two are the cutest couple ever, and we want to be able to officially gloat about having set you up. So, you’re welcome, and enjoy your weekend at the beach! Love from your meddling friends, Brandi and Lex.”
Clare was already doubled over in laughter. “I can’t believe they did that!”
Alicia looked thoughtful. “Actually…knowing Brandi, I probably should have realized what she was up to. But I was so convinced there was no way you could ever be interested in someone as difficult as me, I guess I just never saw it coming.”
“I’m glad you don’t think that anymore.”
Alicia ducked her head. “Let’s just say, I’m a work in progress.”
“Hey.” Clare wrapped an arm around Alicia, drawing her close. “You know I’ve never thought you were difficult, right?”
Alicia huffed out a breath, resting her head on Clare’s shoulder. “I’m starting to, but there are still moments when I can’t believe I haven’t chased you away yet.”
“Aww, honey, I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”
“It’s just…” When Alicia peeked up at her through a flyaway strand of blonde hair, tears glistened in her eyes. “The truth is, I’d had a crush on you for a while. It’s part of the reason I was so standoffish with you at first, because I was so afraid that once you got to know me, you’d get frustrated with me the way everyone else seems to, and I couldn’t take that kind of disappointment from you of all people.”
“I had no idea.” Clare tightened her arms around her girlfriend. “But I’m super flattered, and I can be a patient woman, Alicia. As long as it takes for you to trust my feelings for you…I’ll be here, because I have a confession of my own to make.”
Alicia pulled back to face her. “You do?” She tilted her head to the side, a habit of hers that Clare adored. Honestly, she adored everything about Alicia.
Clare nodded, smiling. “I love you.”
Alicia inhaled sharply, pressing a hand over her mouth. “You…you do?”
“A little bit more every day,” Clare told her. “I love your blunt honesty and how flustered you get in social settings and the way you tilt your head when I’ve surprised you. I love how sweet you are with Rue and the fact that you can’t flirt to save your life and most of all…I love the way I feel when I’m with you. You make my heart happy, Alicia.”
Alicia made a choked sound as tears spilled over her cheeks. “That’s…the most beautiful thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“Well, it’s the truth.”
“I love you too,” Alicia whispered with a tremulous smile. Then she launched herself into Clare’s arms, kissing her with salty lips. “I love you so much.”
“I had planned to take you for a moonlit walk on the beach tonight to tell you, but this seemed like the moment.”
