“Yeah.”
Neither of us says anything for a few moments.
“I didn’t expect it to be so long,” I laugh in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Finn smiles softly. “Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I wanted to get everything down.”
“I appreciate everything you said and your honesty. I might not ever be able to understand why you did what you did, but I know how much you regret it. Especially the way you reacted after everything that happened.” I watch his crumbling face. “And I know you want to do better, be better. And I forgive you, but please give me some time to learn to trust you again.”
Finn nods, eyes glistening. “Yeah, that’s more than okay. I’m just glad I still have you in my life.”
My eyes ache with the need to cry. Instead, I step forward and hug him.
We stay like this for a while until Finn pulls back. “Thank you for not giving up on me,” he whispers. “You, Mum, Dad, JJ, you all keep me going and I’d be lost without you.”
“I’m always gonna be here, Finn,” I say sincerely. “Always.”
When Finn steps away to go and mingle with Joel and Callan, JJ steps to my side once more. I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face into his chest. “I’m gonna miss you so much,” I whisper.
He caresses the back of my head soothingly. “Gonna miss you too, princess. But I’m not worried. I know what we have is special, and I’m not going to find it anywhere else.”
“Me too,” I admit as I peek my head up at him. “This has been the best summer ever—despite all the bad shit.”
JJ’s hand caresses my cheek, and he swipes his thumb across my skin. “And that just proves how strong you are. I know this summer hasn’t been easy for you, but I think you truly found yourself.”
“Thanks to you.”
“Nah, don’t give me credit for anything. You did it all on your own. Don’t dampen everything you’ve overcome.Youdid it. No one else.”
My lips curve at the thought, warmth swarming my chest. “I really, really love you.”
“I know, beautiful.”
I press up on my toes to capture his lips with mine, widening my mouth because I need him right now. In my veins, in my blood, in my soul, I need himeverywhere.
“GUYS!” someone shouts. “It’s time to skinny-dip!”
JJ glances over at the sound and laughs. “Skinny-dip?”
Suddenly, people start shedding their clothes and bolt for the sea. I’ve never seen so many happy faces and the vibrations of laughter. “Yeah, sometimes people do it at the last party of the summer.”
“Should we?”
I narrow my eyes curiously. “You want to?”
“Hell yeah, let’s go out with a bang. Not literally. Or we could, but later.”
“Later,” I say with excitement.
JJ grins devilishly, and it sparks fire in my soul.
My teeth clamp down on my lip. “Alright, let’s do this, but underwear only.”
“That still counts.”
I raise my shaky hands and begin to undo my dress, and I let it fall to the sand beneath us. JJ throws off his T-shirt and slides down his shorts. He holds out his hand and I take it.
“Ivy.” His chest heaves. “Will you be my girlfriend?”
