Then I look at June.
She smiles when she catches me watching her, but it doesn’t fully reach her eyes. There’s a tightness there, something quieter than usual.
Whatever she needs, whatever is weighing on her, I’m going to make sure she leaves Oregon lighter than she arrived.
I pull them both back into another hug, holding on a little longer this time, the wind whipping around us and the smell of jet fuel mixing with salt air, my heart full in a way it hasn’t been in a while.
“I truly cannot believe you live here,” June says.
The three of us stand in the backyard, facing the ocean. The sun hangs warm above us, the air soft and breezy in that rareway the coast gets when everything lines up just right. The sound of the waves drifts up the hill, steady and calming.
Neptune weaves between us, happily soaking up attention, switching sides every few minutes depending on who’s scratching him best. April is already obsessed, crouching down every time he looks her way, snapping photo after photo.
“I can’t believe it either,” I admit, watching the water shimmer in the distance. “Every morning I wake up, and I’m just… thankful I get to be here.”
“It’s seriously stunning.” April straightens, looking out at the view. “I need to get Max to invest in property here so we can come visit all the time.”
“Especially if you’re going to be traveling in private jets now, Mrs. Billionaire Boyfriend,” I tease.
June giggles, and April rolls her eyes, cheeks turning pink.
“Seriously,” June goes on, nudging her. “And the worst part is, he worships her. Like, I knew they were in love, but this man practically worships the ground she walks on.”
April groans. “Okay, that’s dramatic.”
“It’s true. He’s kind and patient and just… grateful all the time. It’s honestly disgusting how perfect he is.”
April laughs, hiding her face for a second, but she’s smiling in that way that says she secretly loves hearing it.
“And this girl still won’t move in with him.”
I turn toward April. “Why not, though? What is stopping you?”
“I want my space.”
“Please,” June cuts in. “The poor guy was distraught. He had to go home at night because I was there, and they work together.”
“He was not,” April argues, laughing.
“He so was,” June screeches.
“Does he usually sleep over?”
April nods, grinning. “He stays over all the time.”
“Then why won’t you just move in together? You’re basically wasting money on rent.”
She shrugs, looking down at her hands for a moment. “I don’t want to move in until we’re engaged. I feel like if things don’t work out, I’ll still have my own space.”
“What makes you think things aren’t going to work out?”
“I don’t know.” She smiles sheepishly. “I would basically die without him at this point, so it better work out.”
We all laugh, the sound blending with the breeze and the distant crash of waves.
“You need to move in with that man,” June says. “And then you can come here and buy a house right next door to May, and I can just stay on her couch forever.”
“That reminds me.” I turn toward them. “Aiden brought a bed for the guest bedroom, and it’s pretty big, so you two should be comfortable.”
