When I go back to Saltwater Springs one day, I don’t want to go back as the girl who was abandoned by him, or the girl who lost a baby, or the girl who left to chase validation. I want to go back as someone who chose her path, and planted roots on purpose.
Maybe Giovanna didn’t just convince me to join an art program, maybe she handed me permission to become more than the version of myself I thought I had to be.
I came to Varazze to prove to myself that I could be alone, that I didn’t need anyone. But I’ve realized that I don’t need to prove anything because wanting Gabriel here doesn’t make me weak, it makes me honest with myself.
So why am I torturing us both when I don’t have to?
I pull my phone out of my bag before I can overthink it and call him. He answers on the first ring.
“Zalea?” His voice is tight, like he’s expecting bad news. “Is everything okay?”
I smile despite myself. “Everything’s fine.”
There’s a pause and I can almost hear him doing his calming breathing exercises.
“Good. Because if something happened?—”
“Gabriel.”
“Yeah?”
I watch another surfer cut across the face of a wave fearlessly.
“I know this was supposed to be a solo trip, and I know I made this whole deal about independence and self-discovery the other day and also how I needed space.”
“You did,” he says cautiously.
I laugh softly. “But I don’t need space from you. I want you here.”
“I’ll rent a car,” he says without hesitation.
I blink. “Wait—you don’t have to?—”
“I’m already grabbing my keys,” he says, and I can hear him shuffling on the other end. “Text me the hotel address. I’ll be there in a few hours.”
My chest feels full with appreciation. “Are you sure?”
“Zalea.” His voice softens. “Anywhere you go, I go. It’s that simple.”
“I don’t want you to come because you feel obligated though.”
“I’m coming because I don’t want to spend a single nightwishingI was where you are.”
I press my free hand to my heart as if that’ll steady its erratic beating.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Okay,” he echoes.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you more.”
I’m about to hang up when I hear something crash in the background.
“What was that?” I ask.
Gabriel exhales sharply. “Your brother just knocked over a stool.”
