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Evan dropped my hand and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “I’m always here for you, Nick, no matter what. If you need a place to stay, you’re welcome to stay with me—anytime.”

I nodded, knowing I could never take him up on it. But it was kind of him to offer.

We turned and headed back in the direction we’d come from. After a few minutes of silence, Evan gave me his opinion. “He’s gonna realize what he’s lost and come back to you. Just wait. You’ll see.”

I chuckled at him. “We’ll see. I’m not so sure, though.”

When we reached our starting point, Evan looked at me.

“Feel like getting something to eat? There’s a place around the corner I know you’d love.”

I was a little hungry. “Sure, let me text Nicole.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket with a text notification.

“This is probably her,” I said, pulling it from my pocket.

When I clicked on my screen to see the notification, my heart stuttered for a beat when I realized that the message wasn’t from my sister.

“Who is it?” Evan asked, noticing the shock that had frozen me in place.

“It’s Preston.”

I held my phone in my hand and stared at the screen, afraid to open it.

“You gonna read it?” he asked.

I nodded and swiped to open the message.

Preston: Hey. I left all your things from my place in Alejandro’s office. I think I got it all, but if I missed anything, let me know.

The tears started again, as uncontrollable sobs tore from my chest. I went to my knees on the sand and dropped my phone.

Evan followed me down, trying to comfort me. “Nick? What’s wrong? What did he say?”

When I couldn’t speak, he wrapped me up in his arms and waited for me to respond.

“We’re over,” I sobbed. “I’ve lost him.”

* * *

We were stillon the beach half an hour later. Evan sat behind me and encircled me in his arms. I watched mindlessly as one wave after another rolled in, only to be taken back out.

I was cried out, physically dried up. When I heard Nicole’s voice, Evan got up and let her take over.

“Nick, oh my god, honey. What can I do?”

“Nothing,” I croaked out. “I did this to us. I broke us.”

I saw Evan out of the corner of my eye talking on the phone. He was probably canceling our dinner plans.

“Can you just take me back to the apartment? I wanna take a nap. You guys can go eat and bring me something. I’m not very hungry.”

My sister looked at me. “I’m not leaving you.”

I sighed and looked at her. “Evan needs to eat. A lot. And you need to eat, too. Just go and let me have some time to let this all out, then I’ll be okay. I promise. And, hey, if I get that job offer now, I’m definitely moving here.”

She nodded and hugged me. “I’m so sorry, Nick. You know I’m here for you.”